Happy International Women's Day! As a team of Divas (and Divos!), we're honoured to work with inspirational, strong women every day...
Here are some of our thoughts on International Women's Day and why we feel it's so important to recognise the day, and the achievements of the women around us.
1. Why is it important to celebrate IWD?
Why wouldn’t we? Equality and opportunity shouldn’t be a privilege they are a right. A right not universally shared sadly.
2. Is there a female figure who inspires you and why?
Our team of divas for one. Strong, knowledgeable women who have worked hard to be respected in their field; and rightly so. They are a formidable force, with ethics, and morals, and a foundation of good working practice based on honest advice not supposition. We can’t all be warriors of great causes (and working in this industry we meet strong, successful women all the time, who are moving mountains daily with meteoric proportion), but we are all warriors in our own right.
3. How important is it for women to lift each other up in business and generally in life?
Recently, whilst whiling away an hour or two shopping, I went into a large department store. A man approached me holding a women’s face cream and asked me if it would be suitable for his wife. I advised him not (as she was a real beauty, quite young, and did not need age reversal of any kind) and saying as such (to her), led them both to the products I believed would suit her better. He was most polite and appreciative and took the product I had suggested. She looked at me and gave a gentle nod but remained silent. Whilst there are numerous interpretations of what I experienced, it sat with me for a long time. I wondered how it could be that I take for granted the ability to walk into a shop and freely pick what I want with my own money. Sadly, equality is not yet universal.
4. What’s the most important piece of advice you’d give to a woman thinking of starting a career in estate agency?
Go for it!!! Being a woman doesn’t hold you back. It can be very rewarding working in an interesting industry meeting lots of people, helping people to change their lives, find their homes….
Stay ethical, stay smart. Stay you!!!
5. What do you think is the biggest issue facing women today?
Two things;
1 Safety. Safety going about their careers, safety running through a park, safety meeting a stranger to view a property. We have to factor all of these into our working day and lives and it shouldn’t be so.
2 There is not enough structure in order to allow women to go away, have children and then return to resume their careers; whether this be because of unaffordable childcare or inflexible working structures.
6. In your opinion, why is it important that women are in the estate agency profession?
It is predominantly a male led industry. As more women are property purchasers / landlords/ homeowners than ever before, why shouldn’t they work with / alongside women? We get them!!!!
As shared with the Guild of Property Professionals by
Helen Duncan and the Divas
Property Divas Limited
Hampstead NW3
