Dow To Be Honored at PFLAG’s 45th Anniversary Celebration

WASHINGTON, D.C., APRIL 23, 2018—PFLAG National—the nation’s first and largest organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) people, their families, and allies—today announced it will honor The Dow Chemical Company with its Straight for Equality in the Workplace award at its 45th Anniversary Celebration in Washington, D.C. on May 9th.

PFLAG was founded by Queens, NY schoolteacher Jeanne Manford. After her gay son, activist Morty Manford, was harassed and beaten in 1972, she marched by his side in an early precursor to NY Pride, and found herself surrounded by young LGBTQ people asking her to reach out to their parents. Within weeks, the phone in her home was ringing off the hook with requests from these young people and their families, and nine months later, in March 1973, PFLAG was born.

Straight for Equality—a national outreach and education project created by PFLAG National— invites, educates, and engages the next generation of allies joining together with LGBTQ people in the effort to achieve equality for all. Straight for Equality awards are presented to individuals who are transforming the way that LGBTQ people are understood and treated, using their talents and platforms in their respective fields to empower others to become engaged and outspoken allies for fairness, diversity, and inclusion. 

“Through their policies, attitudes, and actions, Dow has consistently shown that they champion the right of all people to feel safe and supported in the workplace, inclusive of their sexual orientation, gender identity and expression,” said Jean Hodges, President of the PFLAG National Board of Directors. “This starts at the very top of the company and filters throughout Dow, as evidenced by the major financial support PFLAG National has received from Dow employees in support of our scholarship program. It’s no surprise that Dow’s Employee Resource Group, GLAD, has been in existence for so many years…the work shows!”

The Dow Chemical Company (Dow) combines science and technology knowledge to develop premier materials science solutions that are essential to human progress. Dow is a longtime corporate partner of PFLAG National. GLAD, Dow’s Employee Resource Group for LGBTQ+ and Ally Team Members, has championed a fully inclusive workplace for more than 18 years. The network includes over 25 chapters and more than 3,400 participants at more than 100 Dow sites in more than 30 countries. In recognition of its inclusive workplace, Dow was named by the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation as a 2018 “Best Place to Work” for LGBTQ equality. This marks the Company’s 13th consecutive year receiving a perfect score on HRC’s Corporate Equality Index.

“We are honored by this recognition from PFLAG. Inclusion and diversity is woven into our corporate strategy and is a top priority for Dow,” said Larry Ryan, president, Growth Platforms & Technologies, Dow, and a member of the PFLAG Board of Directors. “Not only is creating an inclusive environment the right thing to do, but we recognize that if we are to recruit and retain the best talent, we need to create a workplace where all people feel welcomed, are able to bring their whole selves to work every day and contribute fully. We believe that workplaces that are inclusive and diverse are workplaces where innovation thrives and employees thrive.”

PFLAG’s 45th Anniversary Celebration will be held on Wednesday, May 9th in Washington, D.C. at the Mayflower Hotel. To purchase tickets or inquire about becoming a sponsor of the event, please visit pflag.org/anniversary or call (202) 467-8180 x218.