In the theme of this year’s International Women’s Day, we sat down with seven of our women across the business to explore their achievements, share their advice, and identify the areas for continued progress to reach true gender equity.

What does IWD mean to you?

I’d love to say it’s a day to celebrate the achievements of women and the progress that’s been made towards equality; however, I tend to revisit the last 12 months and question, ‘what has changed since the last IWD?’. Australia has a new government that seems a bit more dialled-in but internationally, it’s been a shocking year for women’s rights – you’d have to be crazy to think otherwise.

What achievement are you most proud of? 

Surviving in real estate sales in Sydney is a tough slog. If you’re a woman, it’s even harder and you’ll likely need to work twice as hard to be recognised.  I’m proud of the career that I’ve built and the great network of women that I’ve met along the way.

What would widespread gender equity mean to you? 

World peace?

What advice would you give to other women looking to follow your path?  

Work for an agency where there are women in all departments especially in sales, management, and director positions. If the only women in the agency are in administration roles then it’s fair to assume that you will be held back professionally. And don’t be intimidated by the amount of male driven real estate content that’s out there, it’s a lot. 

Is there anything you think we as an industry could do better to achieve equity?

Put women in the rooms where the decisions are made. If our customers are mostly women, then why is our industry mostly men? Get women on podcasts, on stage presenting and training teams.  We can’t be what we can’t see. 

What does IWD mean to you?

IWD is a day to acknowledge and honour women around the world for the contributions we make each day to society.

What achievement are you most proud of?

Besides the great Australian dream of owning your own home, it was finding my happiness! I’m grateful to come into a great working environment where I have the opportunity to contribute and see others grow.

What would widespread gender equity mean to you?

When people of all genders have equal rights, responsibilities, and opportunities.

What advice would you give to other women looking to follow your path? 

Don’t be afraid to follow your intuition. Stay true to yourself and embrace change by continuously learning and adding to your skill set.

Is there anything you think we as an industry could do better to achieve equity?

As more women are emerging in leadership roles, we have the opportunity to hear their collective voices. By continuing to review individual experience and value proposition regardless of gender, we will see the industry bypass the cognitive biases we have traditionally experienced.

What does IWD mean to you?
It’s about the empowerment of women, being united, celebrating how far we’ve come while being aware of changes we still need to make. It’s a beautiful day that allows me to reflect on the incredible women I have around me and how they’ve helped me grow into the woman I am today.

What achievement are you most proud of? 
Having the courage to travel around Europe for four months solo. I found it so liberating and it helped me with my confidence. I’m also really proud of overcoming certain challenges from a young age and the woman I am today. The latter of that includes being a key part of one Australia’s best and highest-performing real estate teams in my mid-twenties. This in itself is an achievement!

What would widespread gender equity mean to you? 
It saddens me that not all women have access to the resources and same opportunities, particularly in the workplace, that we do at BW. Widespread gender equity would mean a safe and loving home, and a supportive working environment for all women, who choose to work. A space for them to grow, be nurtured, and celebrated for their contribution, just as their male counterparts are.

What advice would you give to other women looking to follow your path?
Trust your own judgement and don’t compare yourself to anyone else. I think that in many ways society teaches women to compare themselves to one another. We need to treasure each other, nurture each other, and stick together. This is the way forward.

Is there anything you think we as an industry could do better to achieve equity?
Real estate is still male dominated, and I think we all have a responsibility to help build the number of current and future women in leadership roles. The more we can do this, the more role models and mentors there’ll be for younger women too. I personally look up to the great female leaders and agents we have here at BW – they are a constant source of inspiration to me and I’m fortunate to work closely with them.

What does IWD mean to you?

It’s a reminder for us to support all women, no matter what their career is or life choices are.

What achievement are you most proud of? 

Where I am in my career. I’ve got strong mentors around me who are both male and female who want to see me succeed. I now want to share what I’ve been taught with those who are starting to build their career in real estate. It’s very competitive and we need to lift each other up. I’m also proud of my industry rankings and recognition in 2022 and have huge goals this year to surpass last year.

What would widespread gender equity mean to you? 

An even playing field for men and women. An ongoing commitment from companies and people to remove unconscious bias while focusing on the benefits and inherent skills women bring to the workforce.

What advice would you give to other women looking to follow your path?  

Be authentic, respectful and honest! That doesn’t just apply for your clients, but also the people you surround yourself with. In terms of achieving success, it would be to remember that it doesn’t happen overnight so don’t get disheartened. Putting in the work, the hours and doing those tasks that may seem meaningless or repetitive at the time (but are definitely not) will see it all pay off in the end.

Is there anything you think we as an industry could do better to achieve equity?

As an industry we have come a long way but we shouldn’t get complacent. Agencies need to ensure they have real career pathways for women, including support, mentoring and opportunities, no matter what age or skill set they are entering the industry with! I’d also like to see a shift in thinking from it being ‘women versus men’ to looking at people as individuals and how we can help them succeed, and what we can learn from one another.

What does IWD mean to you?

IWD is a day where we can acknowledge the great women who have and still are making the world a better place for us all. For me, this day acts as an opportunity to reflect and admire my mother and late father. Their constant strength and resilience have helped shape me into the woman I am today. 

What achievement are you most proud of? 

My biggest achievement has been overcoming a recent health issue. I am fortunate to have gotten through a difficult time of my life and forever thankful for my husband, family and many amazing friends and colleagues that helped me see through.

What would widespread gender equity mean to you?

It is the acceptance and facilitation of resources for women in society, in different circumstances of their life.

What advice would you give to other women looking to follow your path?  

No one is you and that is your power, therefore, embrace your passion and work towards your dreams and goals. You must be confident along the way, believe in yourself and show them that you can because you are a woman! 

Is there anything you think we as an industry could do better to achieve equity?

We are still learning how to forge equity in our day to day however, embracing it needs to be a conscious decision. Every individual has different circumstances and we as an industry, need to allocate the required resources and opportunities to reach an equal outcome. 

What does IWD mean to you?

It’s a day for us to reflect on the contribution women make all around the world. It’s as much as a celebration as it is a reminder of the need to keep progressing, pushing for change, and advocating for the rightful equality we have always deserved.

What achievement are you most proud of? 

Like all women there are many achievements I’m proud of, my career being one of them. My journey with BresicWhitney over the last seven years has challenged me, inspired me and allowed me to achieve so much. To be able to do what I love while working with so many wonderful people, many of those women at differing stages of their lives and careers, is life affirming.

What would widespread gender equity mean to you? 
A society free from the assumptions and expectations of what all individuals should do or strive for. A society in which all choices are accepted and recognised as their right, without the judgement or pressure around things like marital status, parenthood, career path, working age and others, for both women and men.

What advice would you give to other women looking to follow your path?  

Put your hand up for opportunities, even if you don’t feel ready. Leap and the net will appear!  If there’s an opportunity being presented to you its for a reason!  Trust yourself and your instincts.

Is there anything you think we as an industry could do better to achieve equity?
The more we continue to shift the reality of certain areas of real estate being dominated by either gender, the sooner we’ll shift perceptions, which in turn will create this new reality. Diversity in teams in not only gender, but identity, ages, orientations, experiences, and perspectives will benefit us all.

What does IWD mean to you? 
It’s a chance to reflect on how far we’ve come, and how far we’ve yet to go. There are women at the top of every profession – business, science, the arts and politics, and real estate, just to name a few. But there is still a glass ceiling in some businesses and pay equity remains a broader issue. Some working mothers are made to feel like they need to choose between juggling a career and motherhood. Women over 50 are disproportionately represented in those who face homelessness, in some cases due to taking time out of the workforce and having little to no super. We, as a society and country, have much work to do.

What achievement are you most proud of? 
Being a role model to my daughter, showing her by example that you can succeed in anything you put your mind to. She told me last week her role models were myself and my 16-year-old god daughter. I’m equally proud of giving my son a strong female role model – that’s just as important.

What would widespread gender equity mean to you?
True gender equity is recognition that women are worth as much as men – in the home, in the workforce and in society. Gender equity is freedom – to be who you are and achieve what you want without barriers.

What advice would you give to other women looking to follow your path?  
Follow your path, believe in yourself and be fearless in going after what you want. Surround yourself with people – male and female – who will love you and cheer you on, whatever your path looks like. And know that you won’t always win – it’s impossible to make everyone happy. Focus on living a happy life and surround yourself with people (male and female) who love you and support you, who you know will cheer you on.

Is there anything you think we as an industry could do better to achieve equity?
We need to have more women on company boards and as directors across all industries. Some parts of real estate still have the ‘boys club’ mentality and culture. We need action, not just a shift in sentiment. One of the barriers to this is that women who choose to have children remain as the primary carers for their families in most cases, and in some cases unfortunately, women are made to feel guilty or overlooked for doing so. Ensuring women (mothers and expectant mothers) have supportive, flexible, and tangible career paths pre- and post-maternity leave is one way we can help further this. It’s so important we break down the perception that taking time out to raise a child is the end of a woman being ambitious or wanting to focus on her career! All the mums I know who’ve come back to work after having a child recognise the skills they gained through parenthood and make a huge contribution to the businesses they work for. I count myself as one of those women and while I’m grateful that BresicWhitney recognises this, I’m very aware that some women aren’t in the same situation.