Bess Watts

Rochester Business Journal Staff//June 30, 2023//

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President, Pride at Work AFL-CIO – Rochester Finger Lakes Chapter

Years in current role: 15

What do you enjoy most about your position in your company and/or your role in the community?

It has been my chosen role to be a liaison between the LGBTQ+ community and Labor. Both communities share democratic values embracing social and economic justice and are natural allies. The challenge for me was to get these allies to recognize each other. To be effective as president of Pride at Work AFL-CIO Rochester Chapter, it was imperative that I be out, visible and vocal. It prompted me to build my leadership skills and relationships with an authentic sense of self, which has led to great depth of experience along the way. Today I am a proud lesbian unionist.

What is one thing you hope to accomplish before the end of the year?

My goal this year is to empower young activists who will lead and inspire working people for the next generation. I support their efforts to mobilize voter registration and get people to vote this year. I actively set up programs like the recent showing of the movie “Pride” at The Little Theatre to encourage civil discourse on important issues and highlight the benefits of creating alliances to work together for the common good.

What is the biggest challenge you’ve had to overcome in your career?

Reaching a community that is not visible. Workplaces are not always LGBTQ friendly, and getting LGBTQ workers to come out and speak about their needs has always been a challenge. I was lucky that I worked in an inclusive and diverse academic environment that encouraged me to live authentically and reach my full leadership potential. Today I intentionally try to model the power of living authentically and visibly.

What are your favorite things about the Rochester area?

NOT the garbage plate! There are always so many cultural, educational and entertainment activities to choose from on any given night in Rochester. We are blessed with opportunities. But generally, I think it is the people who make Rochester the best place to live.

What do you see as the biggest challenges facing Rochester?

Racism and the lack of equitable opportunity in education, employment and healthcare for urban people of color ranks number one on my list. I think it’s appalling. Adequate affordable housing and transportation for seniors is another concern. But of course, climate change is the showstopper for us all. Rochester needs to do its part to save the planet.

This profile is part of Rochester Business Journal's Power List for LGBTQ+ Business Leaders for 2023. Information used in this profile was sourced from the honoree. View the full list at rbj.net.