Alcoa’s employees turn purple to support diversity

Employees of Alcoa for Gay Lesbian bisexual, transgender and intersex Equality (EAGLE) is Alcoa’s employee action group with more than 500 members committed to supporting inclusion in the workplace.

Executive Assistant Jan Horsman, Vice President Operations Michael Gollschewski and Corporate Affairs Director Jodie Read were more than happy to support Wear it Purple day.

Vice President of Human Resources and EAGLE Australian Executive Sponsor Kath Soumanis said she wouldn’t let her personal allegiance to a rival team, prevent her supporting the initiative.

“Despite being a West Coast EAGLE supporter, I am proud to ‘wear it purple’ for this wonderful day of significance. Showing the young LGBTIQ community that we care is one of our fundamental responsibilities as an EAGLE network,” said Kath.

Pinjarra Refinery Manager and EAGLE Lead for Australia Mark Hodgson said the event was an opportunity to focus on some of the most vulnerable young people in our community.

“Wear it Purple is an opportunity to show support for the challenges faced by our rainbow youth and remind them there is always someone to listen and give them a hand,” said Mark.

Alcoa was the first resources company to walk in the Pride Parade in 2014 and became a sponsor in 2018. Alcoa is also a Silver Tier Employer in the Australian Workplace Equality Index, a national benchmark on LGBTQ workplace inclusion.