HISTORY OF WOMEN’S COUNCIL

In 1924, the California Real Estate Association formed a Women’s Division after members founded the idea on a train ride home from the National Association’s convention in Washington, D.C.

Fourteen years later, Joseph Catherine, the 1938 president of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® (then called the National Association of Real Estate Boards) encouraged the formation of the Women’s Council after being impressed by the California group and the immense potential of women in real estate.

At the time, NAR was already 30 years old and most decisions were still made at the Local Board level. Unfortunately, most Local Boards were still resistant to women. However, the National Association was ready to recognize women in realestate and a positive vote resulted in the formation of a women’s division at the Annual Convention held in Milwaukee in November of 1938. Thirty-seven ambitious women represented nine states at that meeting and WCR’s inception.

Through the decades, WCR’s membership growth reflected the vast number of women choosing a career in real estate.

Women began to recognize the immense benefits of careers in real estate combined with a WCR membership, including:

• Salaries equitable to men’s since “commission is commission.”

• Flexible work schedules allowing REALTORS® the ability to raise a family and have a career instead of choosing one or the other.

• A support system of women in the same field garnering many friendships, networking capabilities – and referrals.

• Gaining confidence through association with other professional women REALTORS®.

• Recognition for their own achievements and success as well as inspiration and courage to strive for greater successes.

1998 saw the creation of the annual WCR Leadership Academy, which in its very first year won the prestigious Leadership Development Trophy in Chapter Relations from the American Society of Association Executives. In 2006, the Academy was expanded to include State Chapter Presidents elect and now provides over 250 local and state chapter presidents elect with in-depth chapter management training so that they embark on their year truly equipped to lead their chapters with confidence.

In 1999, the Council approved a Statement of Diversity: The Women’s Council of REALTORS® empowers its members to embrace and celebrate diversity in the marketplace.

WCR’s Web site, wcr.org, originally launched in 1996, was updated with a database-driven Web site in the fall of 2007 and an advanced member search in the all new Referral Center as well as many new and expanded tools for chapter leaders. The Web site also includes educational tools, such as Webinars and professional development articles for all members.

At the 2003 National Conference in San Francisco, WCR launched the Performance Management Network Designation.

It’s a next-generation REALTOR® designation designed from the ground up to bring you real-world skills that will keep your business out front and on top of a dynamic real estate market. The first course in the new curriculum, Effective Negotiating for Real Estate Professionals, premiered at the National Conference with record-breaking turn out. With 330 students, it was the most highly attended initial offering of any WCR course to date.

Today, with more than 290 Chapters and 15,000 members, WCR is the 12th largest U.S. Women’s professional organization and has one of the most successful communication networks in the NAR family.