Being an ally is a role you choose to foster inclusion and belonging.
“An ally is someone who stands next to or behind a community – never in front – as a friend, advocate, supporter, champion, mentor, or sponsor,” according to DEI Expert Rita Bhasin. “We may not identify as being part of a community that is being marginalized, however, we provide what is needed in the moment.”
At GE Appliances, we want our employees to reflect the diversity of our owners and the communities we serve. We want everyone to feel included, so innovation can come to life. Even if you personally don’t identify as part of a community that is being marginalized, you can be an important part of this inclusion – as an ally. This means building relationships with members of groups that are often overlooked because of gender identity, race, age, or religion.
Allyship requires action
Being an ally involves intentional actions like listening and learning, asking questions and seeking genuine connections. When you commit to these action-oriented steps, you lift those around you, so all voices are heard and respected. You’re inviting everyone to participate to their fullest extent and you become a champion for fair treatment.
Wanda Ramsey, Director of Advanced Service Operations, knows firsthand about the importance of both being an ally and having an ally stand with you.
“In the eight-plus years I’ve worked for GEA, I’ve been able to stand with others by being an ally to the Pride, Hispanic Forum, and Asian Pacific American Forum Affinity Groups. I have learned so much about inclusion, acceptance, empathy, and compassion from my colleagues who advocate for their respective groups every day,” says Wanda.
“I’ve also grown personally – and in my career – because allies have stood with me. I am so thankful for colleagues who were intentional in checking on the wellbeing of many of us in the African American Forum during the Summer of 2020. That is what an ally does – they show up, they stick around, and they actively engage.”
Opportunities to become an ally through GE Appliances
One way to show allyship for LGBTQ+ individuals is to join GE Appliances (GEA) coworkers and their families in the 2022 Kentuckiana Pride Parade on Saturday, June 18, at 11 a.m. in Downtown Louisville. RSVP here!
As Wanda mentioned, GEA’s Affinity Groups are another way to become an ally. Show your support by getting involved in The African American Forum (AAF), Asian Pacific American Forum (APAF), Hispanic Forum (HF), PRIDE, Veteran’s Network, or Women’s Network.
Ask these questions to practice allyship every day
- How can I actively improve participation in meetings? Access to assignments?
- How much do I know about the people I work with?
- What are my assumptions and where did they come from?
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