International Women’s Day takes place on March 8, and this year’s theme, Give To Gain, reflects a simple idea: when we invest in women’s success, the benefits extend to families, workplaces and communities.
Today, Concert Properties marked the occasion by volunteering with Dress for Success Vancouver and Toronto, supporting its mission of empowering women to achieve economic independence.
Economic independence is a foundation for gender equity. It enables women to make decisions that support their needs and aspirations, improving overall health and quality of life. Yet barriers remain. In Toronto, for example, one in four women lives below the poverty line, and across Canada women and gender-diverse individuals continue to face systemic challenges in accessing stable employment and advancement opportunities.
Dress for Success Vancouver and Toronto work to address these barriers by providing professional clothing, workshops and career development programs that help unemployed and underemployed women succeed in the workforce and move toward financial independence. Since 1999, the Vancouver chapter has supported more than 48,000 women, while Dress for Success Toronto has helped more than 20,000 women across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area since opening in 2009.
In the weeks leading up, employees across our offices collected and donated interview-ready clothing and accessories. Volunteers then helped sort and prepare clothing and organize the boutique to ensure it is ready to welcome women preparing for interviews—continuing a partnership that is now in its third year. While the support helps women pursue career opportunities, the experience also leaves a lasting impression on the employees who volunteer.
“It was incredibly powerful to see how something as simple as preparing a rack of clothing can directly support someone’s next step,” says Jennifer Morris, Sales Manager. “It’s not just about an outfit. It’s about confidence, dignity and opportunity. Being able to contribute to that in a tangible way was very meaningful for our team.”
While International Women’s Day is an important opportunity to reflect and take action, our commitment to gender equity extends beyond a single day.
Concert Properties supports women exploring careers in the skilled trades through initiatives such as the Trades Discovery Program at BCIT, which provides bursaries and hands-on experience designed to encourage more women to pursue careers in the industry.
Within our workplace, policies and programs help advance women’s career growth and wellbeing. This includes regular pay equity reviews, enhanced parental benefits—including a 95% top-up for 16 weeks of maternity leave—and programs such as Maturn, a career support program designed to help women navigate key life transitions, while continuing to advance professionally. This year, Concert Properties also introduced Maven through Manulife, which provides employees with 24/7 virtual access to specialized menopause and midlife health support.
“Everyone deserves an equal opportunity to succeed, but it doesn’t happen by accident,” says Aran Clarke, Chief Corporate Services Officer. “At Concert, that belief shapes the policies we create and the partnerships we invest in. Because when people feel supported, the impact reaches far beyond any individual or workplace. It strengthens our communities and the future we are working to build.”
For more information or to support Dress for Success, visit Dress for Success Vancouver or Dress for Success Toronto.