My name is Samantha McClary. As well as being EG’s head of content and deputy editor, I am also the co-founder of REWIRE, a club formed for women from across the built environment to come together and make a change.
Last October, two New York Times journalists – Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohey – reported that American film producer Harvey Weinstein had sexually abused dozens of women over a period of at least three decades. Since that story broke, more than 80 women have come forward.
That story was the start of a movement among women (and men).
In the days following the scandal, a phrase, long used by social activist Tarana Burke to help victims overcome the pain of sexual trauma, became popularised on social media. You all know the phrase I am talking about.
“Me too.”
Well, I am here today to say, “Me too”.
But not the “me too” that the popularisation of that phrase has come to mean.
I’m here to say “me too” to being successful, to being unafraid to step up on stage and use my voice (well, not entirely unafraid but willing and empowered enough to do so), to believing, no, not believing, knowing, that I have many opportunities and rights to make it to wherever I want to go in my career.
“Me too” to knowing that I am recognised by my peers – whoever they are: male, female, non-binary, “me too” to standing up for what I know is right – not just for me, but for others, whoever they are. “Me too” for wanting to make a difference.
Working to make a difference
Which brings me to REWIRE and how we too are working to make a difference but perhaps in a different way.
REWIRE is a club, free to enter, for all women of all levels and all disciplines across the built environment. The club aims to provide a forum for women to engage with one another, to find and be mentors and role models, to learn new skills, to build confidence and most importantly, to give back.
REWIRE is all about recognising and empowering women in real estate so that the next generation of women entering the profession do not need special clubs.
Our goal is for REWIRE to become redundant.
A key focus for REWIRE will be engaging with the next generation and promoting real estate as a viable, accessible and rewarding career for women – just as it has been for men for several decades. Our overall goal, obviously, is to make it a viable, accessible and rewarding career for everyone – regardless of gender, sexuality, religion, ethnicity, background, anything.
Much like the recently launched Time’s Up, REWIRE is a movement powered by women but keen to work with – as Oprah would say – the phenomenal men in the industry. Those people who want to see a different “me too” trending across social media.
The Time’s Up campaign states: “The struggle for women to break in, to rise up the ranks and simply be heard and acknowledged in male-dominated workplaces must end.”
I couldn’t agree more. However, I believe the key to ending that struggle lies firmly in the hands of women.
At REWIRE, we believe in empowering our members to know that any struggles they face can be overcome. That they have the power to change their own future and, more importantly, perhaps most importantly, for the generation that comes behind them.
Our members know that they have the support of their fellow members, their tribe.
This year, REWIRE is powering itself up.
Inspired by a louder voice given to the widespread issues around gender and equality by events of the past three months, we will be expanding our ranks, delivering more to our members and seeking more support, from you, the built environment, to make a real change.
What can you expect?
EG will be delivering at least six formal REWIRE events a year. These will be standalone REWIRE events and will be integrated into our wider portfolio of summits and conferences. Events will take the form of panel debates, keynote speeches, workshops, awards, dinners, and more, all with the aim to provide attendees with practical tools to aid them in their career development.
We will also be asking you – and utilising the existing REWIRE tribe – to encourage the next generation of built environment specialists through projects such as school or college visits and work experience placements.
And, instead of showcasing poor practice, EG will seek celebrate those in the sector that are showing real and measurable success in diversity and inclusion, culminating in a coveted REWIRE award.
While REWIRE may be a club focused on women, EG will strive to create content that enables improvement in all aspects of the diversity and inclusion practices of the built environment community. We will seek to measure those improvements through an annual diversity survey. That survey will be benchmarked to rank and record those improvements, with the ultimate aim of making REWIRE and the need for any kind of diversity promoting group, redundant.
How will we do all that?
With you.
If you would like to be part of the REWIRE tribe and come along to our events please do email me.
And, if you fancy playing a role in helping REWIRE make itself redundant, I will also be seeking members for a REWIRE steering group. So, if you want to say “me too” to leading a group that will aim to rid this industry of the other “me too”, drop me an email at the same address to find out more.
And for any businesses out there wanting to get involved with any of our REWIRE events or projects, please drop my colleague Jonathan Lister an email.
So, how to end?
Because she does it so well, I’m going to steal from Oprah again. With some minor tweaks (sorry Oprah).
A new day is on the horizon.
And that when that new day finally dawns, it will be because a lot of magnificent women, and some pretty phenomenal men, are fighting hard to make sure they become the leaders who take us to the time when nobody ever has to say that negative “me too” again.
To send feedback, e-mail samantha.mcclary@egi.co.uk or tweet @Samanthamcclary or @estatesgazette
