Meet and learn about two members in SWE’s LGBTQ+ and Allies Affinity Group: Kelli Ross and Anna Sparks
Kelli Ross
Pronouns: She/Her
Job/Studies: Industrial and Systems Engineering student at Ohio State, Walt Disney World Industrial Engineering Intern
SWE involvement: Ohio State section Vice President, incoming LDP Coordinator-elect, LGBTQ+ and Allies AG Membership Lead
What is PRIDE for you: Pride is being authentically oneself and making those around you feel safe to do the same. To me, pride is actively advocating for those around you, celebrating the progress of the LGBTQ+ community and the challenges we’ve overcome, and remembering the battles fought by the community.
Anna Sparks, P.E., CFM
Pronouns: She/They
Job/Studies: Professional Engineer (P.E.) in Civil Engineering with depth in Water Resources and Environmental Engineering, and Certified Floodplain Manager (CFM)
SWE involvement: SWE Life Member, SWE Finance Committee Chair-Elect and SWE Rocky Mountain Section Nominating Committee
What is PRIDE for you: A sense of cool confidence that I don’t need to conform to gender roles, and I will be accepted for who I am. It’s people gathering together and asserting acceptance for all to make it a norm in the future. Pride is overcoming discrimination based on gender identity, ethnicity, nationality, neurodiversity, religion, sexual orientation or a combination thereof. Pride is love of all for who they are.
