Lifestyle

Guild Members Celebrate International Women’s Day

Posted on: Tuesday, March 5, 2024

International Women’s Day is a global annual event, on Friday 8th March, celebrating women's achievements, raising awareness against bias and taking action for equality. Together we can forge women's equality and collectively we can all #EmbraceEquity.

We asked some of our female leaders in the network and proud Guild Members what International Women’s Day means to them...

For Ailsa Mather and her team at Andrew Coulson Estate Agents International Women's Day means a lot to their business for being recognised for the work that they do both inside the industry, community and our families. She says "Working full time and juggling a family is never easy, it takes strength, determination, organisation and good sense of humour. The qualities that women in our industry have compared to their male counterparts are empathy, sympathy and are good listeners. We are a proud team and always strive to do our very best with strong teamwork, and supporting each other through good and bad days."

Samantha Draisey from Knights says “When Women support each other, incredible things happen”. She manages a small team of strong independent women and feels that is is "an absolute pleasure and makes my job easier with what we achieve on a daily basis. We make sure that we support each other and bounce off each other’s ideas on our day-to-day tasks to be as successful as we are. We believe in being the best of the best, achieving being the best we can and celebrating our goals and achievements. The women in this office are encouraged to speak up if they have new ideas or suggestions showing their strength and integrity. Here at Knights Estate Agents, we would like to wish all the strong, independent, amazingly talented women of the world a very happy International Women’s Day!"

"On International Women's Day, we proudly celebrate the incredible women at C residential both past and present, who embody excellence and resilience." That is the message from Angi Cooney, Director at C residential. She says, "our commitment to a female-led environment is not about gender, but about recognising and empowering the best individuals for the job. Witnessing the success of our women not only elevates our business but serves as inspiration to young girls in Staffordshire. Breaking down barriers and fostering hope, they pave the way for future generations. Today is not just about honouring women's achievements but a reminder that together, we strive for a future where everyone thrives in a supportive and understanding environment. We are all in this together, shaping a better tomorrow for all." 

Julie McCrory, Director at Kingham Property Specialists, has been a company director in the estate agency sector for nearly two decades and feels that International Women's Day holds profound significance for her. She comments, "it's a day to celebrate the achievements and contributions of women everywhere highlighting our resilience and determination, no matter what we choose to do!  At our agency, we are committed to supporting females in their careers and day-to-day life by understanding what women need to flourish, grow and shine. We offer amazing training packages support flexible working arrangements such as four-day weeks. This flexibility enables our team to balance work and personal commitments effectively. Inclusion of all genders in decision-making processes is essential for creating diverse perspectives and fostering innovation. It ensures fairness, equality, and representation, ultimately leading to better outcomes for our business and society as a whole. Over the years, I've witnessed positive changes in the agency landscape regarding gender equality and inclusivity. However, there's still work to be done to address existing challenges and biases. Together, let's continue to empower and uplift women in our industry and beyond."

Donna Vincent, Residential Sales Manager at Millbank Estate Agents, says "International Women's Day is a special day that celebrates the many accomplishments, contributions, and hard work of women around the world. To me, it is a reminder that we have come a long way, but still have much further to go. Women are still fighting for equality in many aspects of society, and International Women’s Day reminds us to keep striving for a better future. "The event is a day of celebration and reflection, and a time to recognize the many successes of women throughout history. I think it’s important to remember how far we’ve come and the many barriers that have been broken down. It’s also a reminder of the importance of standing up for those who are still facing inequality and injustice. There are still too many instances of gender-based violence and discrimination, and there are still too many women denied access to education, health care, and other basic rights. We must continue to fight for the rights of all women and girls. International Women’s Day is a celebration of the strength, courage, and resilience of women everywhere. It gives us an opportunity to recognise the many strides we have taken towards gender equality, and to reflect on the work that still needs to be done."

Kate Taylor, Director at Taylor & Co, believes that it is important to acknowledge International Women’s Day to celebrate the global position and strength of women around the world today. She adds: “Compared to the experience of the generations before us who resolutely campaigned to ensure that women were recognised and received an equal voice to men, we are in a relatively more favourable position today. Let’s take a moment to remember the brave women who fought and sacrificed their lives for our rights, enabling us to celebrate IWD24 today. Although many women in the UK are in a better place than at the turn of the 20th Century, there are still many both in the UK and around the world who are not on an equal footing and are still suffering both emotionally and physically; it is incumbent upon us to support and promote their plight. I am motivated and encouraged by the strong women in the property industry today, supporting fellow co-workers achieve their best and succeed in a very driven and demanding environment.  Inevitably throughout our careers, our priorities and responsibilities shift and change depending on our age, with a range of issues including pregnancy, maternity leave, childcare, the menopause, adapting to blended families and providing care for our elderly relatives creating demands on our time.  It is important as advocates of women working in property to understand that individual circumstances are different and in line with IWD24’s message this year, we look to celebrate our diverse teams and empower them both individually and collectively.   I have had an immensely rewarding career within this challenging but hugely enjoyable industry and am proud to be a member of The Guild of Property Professionals, the best network of independent estate agents in the UK. I founded my company five years ago and through my membership of The Guild and the great support that they have offered to me along the way, I have met and developed great alliances with other female business owners around the UK. Through the management of my company, I am pleased to be able to nurture a diverse and dynamic group of women and foster the careers of future women in property, empowering and supporting them to be successful too.”  

The Home Stretch Podcast 

To further celebrate International Women's Day, last year we recorded two very special episodes of The Home Stretch Podcast, with some of our proud female Guild Members. Click the links below to listen;

Episode One | Episode Two

Contact us today!

We’re proud of the powerful, influential female leaders at The Guild of Property Professionals. Thank you for making us feel empowered! To find out more about becoming a Guild Member click here. To search for your dream property with experts in the industry, across the UK, get in touch with your local, trusted,  knowledgeable Guild Member.