The below is a memo from Amy Binder to the RF|Binder team. 

This Sunday, March 8 marks International Women’s Day, and with it comes an opportunity to pause and reflect. 

International Women’s Day has been observed for more than a century. It began in 1911 across several European countries, rooted in the fight for women’s rights including the right to work, vote and hold public office. Over time, it has grown into a global moment to recognize the achievements of women and to reflect on the continued pursuit of gender equity. 

There has been meaningful progress over the decades, but the data reminds us that the path forward is not always linear. Today, women lead only 55 Fortune 500 companies. While this is the highest number in history, it still represents only about 11 percent of the largest companies in the United States. This is also the first time since tracking began in the 1960s, that the gender pay gap widened for two consecutive years. In 2024, the average woman working full-time year-round earned about 81 cents for every dollar earned by a man, down from 83 cents the year before and 84 cents two years prior. The widening gap was driven largely by rising earnings for men while women’s pay remained relatively flat. 

While acknowledging our history and the realities we face today is essential, as a feminist and an optimist, I have always believed this day is about looking to the future. It reminds us that progress does not happen on its own. It happens when people choose to raise their voices, lead and stand together.  

It is important to remember the power of our individual voice. Leadership does not only happen in formal moments or public settings. It shows up every day in the way we conduct ourselves, how we treat others and in the conversations we choose to have. Each of us plays a role in shaping the culture around us. Through small everyday actions and the example we set, we can move progress forward, one step at a time. 

At RF|Binder, this idea has always been central to how we have built our firm. As a women-owned company, we believe leadership carries responsibility. The way we show up for our clients, for our colleagues and for our community has real impact. 

I am proud of the leadership I see across our team every day. It comes from both the women and the men in our firm, who share a deep commitment to equality and to supporting one another’s success. I see it in the collaboration, mentorship and support that define our culture, and in the professionalism and integrity you bring to work we do. Just as importantly, I see it in the way each of you uses your voice. In our profession, words matter. The conversations we shape, the perspectives we elevate and the example we set can influence how people think, act and lead. 

International Women’s Day is a reminder that progress is built over time and through collective action. Each of us has a role to play. Together, through the work we do and the example we set, we can continue to help move that progress forward. 

Amy