Leaving s/he: Introducing inclusive pronoun use in your workplace
Creating a gender-inclusive work culture doesn't end with supporting women's equality. Current understanding of gender is moving increasingly away from a gender binary, and employers must keep pace to attract the best talent. Session attendees will learn about RTI International's efforts to educate staff and normalize the practice of sharing pronouns, a key step in achieving gender inclusivity. Attendees will learn tips for gaining stakeholder buy-in and leave with tools they can begin using immediately.
Learning Objectives:
- Articulate the business case for gender-friendly language, policies, and workplace culture
- Communicate why pronouns are important and demonstrate how to use and share them
- Understand the continuum of allyship and how to educate employees at all levels of knowledge
- Leverage tips and tools to successfully normalize inclusive pronoun use, including a sample timeline and communications plan
Amy Morrow
Amy Morrow, PhD, (she/her) is a senior editor/writer at RTI International, co-chair of the RTI Pride: LGBTQ+ Employee Resource Group, and Learning and Development Lead for RTI's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Council. Leveraging her experience as a language professional, she champions the use of gender-friendly language at all levels, from technical staff to fellow editors to leadership. Through this work, she has learned many lessons about the importance of allies and when to rush in where angels (and style guides) fear to tread.
Kristy Lowther
Kristy Lowther (she/her), MSW, serves as the program manager for RTI International’s Strategic Engagement & Belonging (SEB) program. In this role, she leads RTI's Employee Resource Group (ERG) Leadership Council and provides strategic oversight, budgetary input, interpersonal guidance, and mentorship to leaders and employees across the Institute. In addition, she works to ensure that managers are empowered to build inclusive teams and create a culture of belonging. Mx. Lowther is responsible for creating and implementing organizational DEI strategies, and she is an expert in the design, development, and delivery of in-depth LGBTQ+ training. She currently facilitates a 9-hour LGBTQ+ Workplace Equity Workshop to increase awareness and understanding of LGBTQ+ issues among staff, with a specific focus on equity for transgender and non-binary employees. In everything she does, Mx. Lowther works to advance policies and practices to create an equitable culture at RTI.