Celebrating Pride Month with a focus on community

Zurich North America and PrideZ, the employee resource group (ERG) recognizing the company’s LGBTQ+ community and allies, are celebrating Pride Month through a variety of awareness-building and community-service activities.

Pride Month celebrates the LGBTQ+ community and its contributions to the nation, as well as honoring the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in Manhattan. “To celebrate Pride Month this year, PrideZ is focusing our activities on raising awareness of issues facing the LGBTQ+ community and giving back to our communities,” said Stephanie Brooks, International Service Consultant at Zurich North America and Co-chair of PrideZ, which is one of Zurich’s largest ERGs with more than 500 members.

PrideZ kicked off the month by participating in the CommUNITY Rainbow Run in commemoration of those who lost their lives in the 2016 Pulse Nightclub shooting in Orlando. Several Orlando-based employees participated in person and other employees across the nation participated virtually, raising funds for the onePULSE Foundation, the nonprofit established following the tragedy.

PrideZ members and allies also volunteered on a Habitat for Humanity homebuilding site and organized a collection drive to gather snacks needed for a local youth services group. As part of an internal #ShowYourPride social media campaign, PrideZ donated funds to various LGBTQ+ charities for posts highlighting the meaning of Pride season.

In addition to community activities, PrideZ also hosted discussions focused on LGBTQ+ experiences and on advancing diversity, inclusion, equity and belonging in the workplace, an important element of Zurich’s ambitions and culture. “Pride Month brings attention to how LGBTQ+ Americans have strengthened our country. At Zurich, we’re proud to support the LGBTQ+ community and celebrate their contributions to the nation and to our organization,” said Laura Rock, Chief Human Resources Officer at Zurich North America and Executive Sponsor of PrideZ. “Pride Month is an opportunity for the LGBTQ+ community and allies to build support and take action collectively toward a more equitable society. When we build understanding and community for everyone, our nation — and our culture at Zurich — is stronger.”

Many PrideZ members and allies participated in Pride parades around the country, and a group will be walking in the 52^nd annual Chicago Pride Parade on June 25. This year, PrideZ will have a new, “Zurich blue” trolley available, making the parade accessible to those of all physical abilities.  

Freyja Farnsworth, Care Center Team Lead at Zurich North America and Co-chair of PrideZ, highlighted the importance of coming together for the parade and other activities, as well as the month’s broader meaning.

“Pride Month began as a protest, and while we celebrate with others, it's a reminder that we're all tasked with what role we need to play in making this a more inclusive and diverse world,” she said.