Harcourts celebrates International Women’s Day 2025 and its theme ‘March Forward’

On Friday 7th March, Harcourts proudly honours the amazing women within its team as part of the organisation's celebration of International Women’s Day (IWD) 2025.

The theme for this year, 'March Forward,' serves as a call to action, encouraging bold progress towards achieving equality for women everywhere.

Harcourts’ Inspirational Women initiative plays a pivotal role in supporting IWD. This initiative is dedicated to empowering and uplifting the women who form the backbone of Harcourts, providing them with a platform to share their experiences and lessons as they balance thriving real estate careers with personal commitments. 

"The theme 'March Forward' reminds us that progress is not just about reflection but about taking decisive, bold steps to turn our commitments into action,” said Minister for Women, Senator the Hon Katy Gallagher. “This is our moment to drive change and ensure a truly equal future for all women and girls.”

Irene Green, Founder of Harcourts Inspirational Women, further echoed these sentiments, stating, “One day you will tell your story of how you overcame what you’re going through now, and it will become part of someone else’s survival guide.” 

Harcourts is committed to creating an inclusive culture where every woman is celebrated and supported to achieve her full potential.

By enabling women within its network to reflect, share their challenges, and lead with courage, the company hopes to serve not only as a champion for its employees but also as a source of inspiration for women in the broader real estate and business community.

Harcourts is a globally respected real estate brand with a proud history of innovation and community focus. Harcourts Inspirational Women is part of the company’s ongoing commitment to empowering its workforce and creating meaningful cultural change within the industry.

By way of Harcourts celebrating this special day, we reached out across the network to some inspirational women to reflect on IWD.

From Erynne Manners, RateMyAgent Rising Star Australia 2025: What International Women Day means for me especially being a full-time mum in business that we really can do it all. I aspire to be a role model to my son, to all children, young women and women in general. 

I think it's empowering especially being in a male dominated industry and to be an advocate and I am honoured to be a part of a time when efforts are recognised all around.

Harcourts really supports all aspects of women in business and in Real estate whether it's a small or big achievement Harcourts gives you the confidence and support needed to go bigger and better and push yourself and I can't wait to continue in business with them for the long term.

Pauline Smith, Head of Harcourts Foundation, COO Inspirational Women wrote: Despite significant progress towards gender equality, the path ahead remains challenging. Systemic changes are still urgently needed—ensuring equal pay, amplifying representation in leadership roles, and breaking down barriers to education and healthcare for women worldwide.

It is vital that we go beyond celebrating achievements and commit ourselves to the continued pursuit of equality. Every one of us has a responsibility to create an environment where every woman and girl can achieve her full potential.

The transformative power of investing in women cannot be overstated. I have witnessed how empowering women leads to healthier, better-educated, and more prosperous communities.

When women take on leadership roles, they provide fresh perspectives and innovative solutions, driving meaningful progress. Their success extends far beyond their own lives—it uplifts families, strengthens communities, and fuels economic growth.

Reflecting on this theme fills me with both hope and determination.

The road to gender equality demands persistence, courage, and collective action. At Harcourts, we are steadfast in our commitment to this cause. We know that investing in women is not just an investment in individuals—it is an investment in a brighter, more equitable future for everyone. Together, we can ensure that equality is not just a goal but a reality.

Jacqui Bartholomeusz, Business Owner, Harcourts Local wrote: While I always like to be a role model to any younger female or male I don’t normally focus on the it being me as a woman, more just me as someone striving to do what’s right and a make a difference where possible.

The one thing that does stand out to me is how proud I am of the women closest to me that is my 2 daughters, my 2 daughters in laws, and my niece.  I look at these women and see strong willed, capable, financially independent people who have all excelled in their chosen fields.  I hope along with them and the women that I get to work beside each day together we can hold each other accountable to be the best we can be for all of those around us.

We may not be able to correct all the gender inequality, but we can work quietly beside each other and beside the males on our worlds to make a better place for the next generation and those have done before us.  This is what we are doing for the day this year:

And Rachel Atkin, Property Management Operations Manager, Victoria provided this piece: Marching Forward: Empowering Women in Real Estate: International Women’s Day is a time to reflect on the incredible achievements of women while acknowledging the work that still needs to be done.

This year’s theme, March Forward: For ALL Women and Girls, reminds us that true progress requires action, not just words. As someone deeply embedded in the real estate industry, I see firsthand the impact of strong female leadership and the importance of lifting up the next generation of women in our field.

At Harcourts, we recognise that mentorship and leadership go hand in hand. The women in our network are more than just colleagues; they are role models, mentors, and changemakers who pave the way for those coming after them. Through initiatives like Harcourts Inspirational Women, we celebrate the successes of women in real estate while also fostering an environment that actively supports gender equality.

However, inspiration alone is not enough - we must take decisive action to drive meaningful change.

As the Inspirational Women Ambassador for Victoria, I am privileged to be part of a movement that actively supports and elevates women in real estate.

My passion for this role stems from a deep belief that when women are empowered, the entire industry thrives. I’ve seen firsthand how access to mentorship, leadership opportunities, and strong professional networks can accelerate careers and build confidence.

My role is not just about celebrating achievements - it’s about creating pathways for more women to step into leadership, have their voices heard, and be recognised for their contributions.

This is not about politics or making feminism a divisive conversation; it’s about ensuring that women are given the same opportunities to succeed as their male counterparts, without barriers or bias.

The statistics are sobering. According to the World Economic Forum, at the current rate of progress, it will take until 2158 - five generations from now - for the world to achieve full gender parity.

That is simply too long. If we want to see real change within our lifetime, we must be proactive in breaking down barriers. This means advocating for equal pay, amplifying the voices of women in leadership, and ensuring that young women entering our industry have access to the same opportunities as their male counterparts.

The reality is that many women still face discrimination, lower pay, and fewer opportunities for advancement. In some parts of the world, access to education and safety remain significant challenges.

This is why events like International Women’s Day matter - they provide a platform to highlight these issues and inspire collective action. In real estate, as in all industries, diversity isn’t just a moral imperative; it’s a business advantage. When we create inclusive workplaces where everyone can thrive, we strengthen our businesses, improve our industry, and foster greater innovation.

Equality benefits everyone. When women are empowered, entire communities thrive. By creating pathways for success, removing biases, and championing the next generation, we build a future where every individual - regardless of gender - has the opportunity to reach their full potential.

So, as we celebrate this International Women’s Day, let’s ask ourselves: What more can we do? How can we, as leaders, mentors, and colleagues, actively contribute to accelerating progress?

The future of real estate is one where leadership reflects the diversity of our communities. Let’s make sure we’re not waiting five generations to get there.