Commonwealth Medicine leadership and employees joined millions of others across the country in celebrating Pride Month on Thursday June 6, 2019. The event, organized by our Cultural Diversity Committee (CDC), respectfully remembered the many members of our community who have faced hardships due to their sexual orientation, and celebrated the continued strides our community is making today to create a more welcoming and understand environment for all.
One of the long-standing members of the CDC, Program Administrator for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Outreach, Michele Brown, spoke during the event about the importance of diversity in and outside of the workplace. Brown is a well-known LGBTQ+ advocate and volunteer within the community of Worcester. This year she was awarded the “Key to the City of Worcester” for alliance and advocacy within the LGBTQ+ community and the 2019 New England Pride TV Ally of the Year award.
During her speech, Brown evoked the words of Harvey Milk, the first openly gay elected official in the United States, to describe why she believes Pride Month is such an important time, “All people regardless of sexual orientation or identity deserve a safe and supportive environment in which to achieve their full potential.” She closed by calling on other employees to “do something to honor all of those who fought for” equality in the community.
Members of our CDC and other employees also took part in the June 8 Pride Parade in Boston, and plan to continue celebrating the diversity that makes our community a welcoming home for all throughout June and beyond.