Southwire Celebrates Pride Month

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June marked Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer+ (LGBTQ+) Pride Month, and during the month, Southwire took the time to celebrate and recognize the contributions of LGBTQ+ individuals around the world. 

Pride Month is celebrated each year in the month of June to honor the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in Manhattan, a tipping point for the Gay Liberation Movement in the United States. The purpose of the commemorative month is to recognize the impact that LGBTQ+ individuals have had on history - locally, nationally and internationally.

Southwire’s Allied employee resource group (ERG) advocates for a work environment that respects, welcomes and supports people of all sexual and gender identities and enables them to bring their whole selves to work, allowing them to perform to their full potential. 

Allied kicked off Pride Month with a virtual keynote address from Barry Kirk of Chapman & Co. Leadership Institute, in which Kirk shared his story, talked about issues facing the LGBTQ+ community and highlighted the importance of inclusivity in the workplace. 

Then, on June 17, Southwire served as the presenting sponsor of Georgia Equality’s Evening for Equality virtual event to recognize and celebrate the victories helping to advance fairness, safety and opportunity for Georgia's LGBTQ+ communities and allies.

Tonya Moore, VP of People & Culture and Allied committee champion, explained that while the group did not participate in any in-person Pride celebrations this year, they wanted to give back in a meaningful manner with COVID safety in mind. 

“We hope our Southwire family enjoyed learning more about the LGBTQ+ community during Pride Month,” said Moore. “The goal of the Allied Committee was to create awareness around and for this community. We truly want all our employees to feel safe and welcome to be their authentic selves.”

Throughout Pride Month, Southwire also celebrated by offering learning resources, yoga sessions and celebratory snacks. The Allied committee worked with Kevin Danburg, manager of food service operations, to make, package and ship nearly 4,000 Pride Month-themed cookies. The cookies were sent throughout the U.S. to different Southwire facilities alongside a flyer with details about Allied, the history and importance of Pride Month and opportunities to get involved. 

“I would like to thank Cara Herzog and the Allied committee for their hard work, leaders like Kathleen Edge for sharing their stories and all the employees who were able to take the Safe Space Certification to create our Safe Space Neighborhood where all are welcome,” said Moore.  

To learn more about Southwire’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, click here. For more Southwire news, visit www.southwire.com/newsroom.