A Legacy of Compassion
September 10, 2021
Tracy (r.) and her partner, Chae.
Many of our values, beliefs, likes and dislikes are reflective of our upbringing. Some of us pattern our hobbies and even careers after our parents or other important childhood figures. Tracy Parmer, analyst V, Emerging Technologies (EmT) Strategy, is a wonderful example. She is an avid volunteer and serves the community in a number of ways – just like her mother.
“My mother was constantly on the go, with me tagging along, checking in on a sick neighbor, bringing food to a family in need or taking an elderly person to a medical appointment,” said Tracy. “She has always modeled a life of service. While the ways I engage with my community now look a little different, I enjoy serving on boards, volunteering at events and rolling up my sleeves to help wherever a need exists.”
And that’s exactly what she does – in a variety of ways. However, the majority of Tracy’s volunteerism is for the LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender) Center of Greater Reading.
“The ‘center’ – as many of us call it – has only been around since 2017 but has grown and emerged as the leading source of advocacy, support and resources for the local LGBTQ+ [lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning] community,” she said.
Tracy became involved with the center after its executive director spoke at our Alternate Current Employee Business Resource Group’s (EBRG) inaugural event. Shortly thereafter, Tracy attended one of its events and realized she had the responsibility to do more to help her LGBTQ+ community.
“I was voted on to the center’s board of directors in 2019 and took over as chair of the Legislative and Advocacy Committee – something that seemed a good fit for me given the background my day job has provided me.” she said.
Tracy’s core responsibilities with the EmT group are monitoring and developing strategies that help to drive development of emerging technologies including electrification, smart cities and grid modernization at the federal and state levels.
“We facilitate open dialogue with internal and external stakeholders, including policy makers, on changing market conditions and work collectively to ensure that our customers are receiving the highest quality of services,” said Tracy, who’s been with the company for 15 years.
 L.-r.: Taylor Davis (Linda’s daughter) Linda Moss and Tracy at the 2021 Reading Pride event. |
 Tracy (l.) and Michelle Deck, executive director, LGBT Center of Greater Reading take a break during a holiday turkey and toys distribution event. |
| Two-way Support
In her quest to help others, Tracy learned that support can be given and received. Early this year, Tracy and other FirstEnergy and Met-Ed employees participated in a “Pink in the Rink” video which highlighted FirstEnergy breast cancer survivors, in partnership with the Reading Royals hockey team and Breast Cancer Services of Berks County. “I felt extremely honored to be an advocate for these strong women and highlight the importance of tending to your health, even during a pandemic,” said Tracy. Little did Tracy know that two months later, she would receive her own bilateral breast cancer diagnosis. “Thankfully, my cancer was caught early and while my treatment regimen continues, my outcome looks promising,” she said. “Also, the support, encouraging words, phone calls and thoughtful gifts from my FirstEnergy and EBRG families got me through a very difficult time.” |
A Heartfelt Calling
Furthering the mission of the center is a top priority for Tracy. She said that as long as she can remember, she knew she was different – even though she identified as a cisgender woman (a person whose gender identity matches their sex assigned at birth). She added that because she was growing up in a small rural farm town that didn’t acknowledge or accept diversity she knew being different came with consequences.
“My path was not an easy one, however, the trauma, stigma, violence and discrimination people who identify as transgender and nonbinary have experienced is exponentially worse. There isn’t a single law in effect in Pennsylvania that protects LGBTQ+ people from violence or discrimination. In fact, of Pennsylvania’s 2,562 municipalities, only 63 have adopted local nondiscrimination ordinances.”
One of Tracy’s roles at the center is to help move these statistics in a more favorable direction and ensure that the LGBTQ+ community has the same protections as the rest of society.
“One of my first victories was when I helped write a statement of equality on behalf of the center, which was then supported by area businesses including FirstEnergy,” she said. “Linda Moss, regional president, Met-Ed, and David Turner, manager, Regional External Affairs Met-Ed are fierce allies and advocates of the LGBTQ+ community and were instrumental in the effort. I’m proud of FirstEnergy’s exceptional efforts in supporting their employees and communities, and especially that the center partners with our Alternate Current, Southeast Pennsylvania Women in Leadership and THRIVE EBRGs.”
Helping Others Find Their Way
Tracy said that many people who identify as LGBTQ+ struggle with finding positive and respectful interactions with medical providers. As a result, mental and physical healthcare needs often go unaddressed. The center’s statistics confirm that 35% of people who have an autism diagnosis also identify as LGBTQ+ and 40% of LGBTQ+ identifying people have attempted suicide.
Tracy feels that each of us can make a difference in the lives of someone who identifies as LGBTQ+.
“It can be as simple as making a small donation to a local LGBTQ+ center, joining a FirstEnergy EBRG, using personal pronouns during introductions and on signatures or by assessing the language we use for inclusivity,” she said. “Words really do matter and doing something small to show support for friends, family members and colleagues who may be struggling to fit in or find their place, could have an immeasurable impact.”