“Women belong in all places where decisions are being made… It shouldn’t be that women are the exception.” – Ruth Bader Ginsburg
Today is International Women’s Day! The theme of this year’s Women’s Day celebration is “Balance for Better.”
The organization behind the day explains that balance is not a women’s issue, it’s a business issue. Amen to that.
I work in real estate development – a world dominated by men. I have seen first-hand how the balance is out of whack and I have personally encountered numerous acts of misogynism in the last twelve years of working in this industry. I’ve got some stories if you’ve got the time.
Inspired by the Women’s Movement in 2017, I took a real hard look at what I could personally do to cause a change in my business and my industry.
As the co-owner of my company, Luxury Living Chicago Realty, I am a leader and can have a major impact.
I have created a company where women make up the majority of management positions and have a true voice. In fact, when speaking with female candidates for jobs at our company, during every interview I have heard the women say that they looked at our team page on our website and were inspired to see so many female faces.
I have made it my mission to put women in positions of leadership. On our six-person leadership team, there are three men and three women. #Balance
I hire men who share these values and view women as their equals. When I hire those men, I pay them the exact same for their experience as the women who share their same skillset and role.
An organization that recently came on my radar who is making strides for women in real estate is The Golide Initiative. The mission of the organization is to prepare women for senior leadership roles in commercial real estate. The Goldie Initiative does this by providing scholarship support for graduate study, mentorship and networking opportunities to women with high potential who are committed to becoming the leaders in the real estate industry. Founder, Goldie B. Wolfe Miller has an incredible story. If you ever have the opportunity to hear her speak you will not be disappointed.
I believe everyone benefits when there is an equal balance of all perspectives. This one is not only about a woman’s perspective, but really about being inclusive of everyone no matter their gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, etc.
I’m happy to celebrate International Women’s Day on March 8th every year, but I work hard to push for women the other 364.
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