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Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is a Business Imperative

Spring Inclusion in Action Newsletter, Industry Insights

At Westfield, we’re humbled to have a story that spans three centuries. In honor of our 175th year, we’ve spent time reflecting on and learning more about our beginnings as an organization. On the heels of Black History Month, Women’s History Month, and in recognition of Celebrate Diversity Month, we share several stories that support the belief that some of our early founders and leaders embraced the spirit of what we know today as DEI.

In 1920, women were prevalent in the industry, especially those who were young or unmarried. Westfield leaders acknowledged the important role that women played in the industry and hosted an annual, multi-day retreat for agency women, known then as the “Agency Girls” retreat. During this annual event, women from across our operating territory traveled to Westfield’s Home Office campus. They had the opportunity to network, participate in money management classes, and other development workshops – all things not offered to women on a broad scale. Many wrote back to the company after the event sharing impact that this had on them and how much they gained from the experience. Back then, calling women “girls” was the sign of the times, but the spirit of the effort was to elevate power of women. This act of inclusivity highlighted the role of women and strengthened agency relationships which remains a core value today.

Halsey Hulbert, former Director of the Ohio Farmers Insurance Company (1856-1866), was an abolitionist who publicly denounced slavery and an ally who opened his home to runaway slaves desperately trying to escape its horrifying grasp. In Hulbert’s story we discover an unwavering commitment to the anti-slavery movement, his personal correspondences, and his work as a station agent on the Underground Railroad in Medina County Ohio. Hulbert was one of seven in Medina County Ohio to cast the first vote for the Anti-Slavery Party. His family harbored fugitive slaves at their home in the mid- 1800s.

With our shared history - we are honored to celebrate Westfield's 175th anniversary together with our agency and broker partners. Our agencies and brokers are an extension of our caring company and our values – the faces, voices, hands, and hearts that bring our business to life.

At Westfield, we believe DEI is a business imperative, and we’re engaged in discussions focused on DEI with our agency and broker partners and have created materials to bring our networks along on the journey. As DEI practitioners, we’re not experts but we are committed to forward progress, and we rely on those within the industry to share best practices and push us to do more. We value our partnership with the Big I for serving as a guidepost through their DEI thought leadership and programming and resources.