Workforce Diversity at Nordstrom

Nordstrom strictly prohibited "discrimination or harassment based on sex, race, color, creed, national origin, religion, age, marital status, pregnancy, physical, mental or sensory disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other basis protected by federal, state and/or local laws."⁸ It added that "it was committed to recruiting, hiring and promoting qualified applicants and employees, as well as giving people of all backgrounds an opportunity to work and contribute to the company and community."⁹ Nordstrom believed that diversity benefited the company, and said that it was dedicated to building a work environment where diversity was valued. (Refer to Exhibit I for Nordstrom's Diversity Mission Statement).

In 1901, John Nordstrom partnered with Carl Wallin (Wallin), a shoemaker, and opened a shoe store in Seattle called 'Wallin & Nordstrom.' On the first day the store sold shoes worth $12.50. By 1905, the annual sales were $80,000.

Then in 1923 they opened a second store in Seattle. John Nordstrom retired in 1928 and passed on his stake in the company to his sons Everett and Elmer. Wallin, who retired in 1929, also sold his share to John's sons. In 1930 the shoe stores, now solely owned by the Nordstrom family, adopted a new name, 'Nordstrom's.' Despite the Great Depression,¹² the two stores made $250,000 in sales in 1930. In 1933, John's third son, Lloyd joined the business...