Early Years
In the
1930s, the National Association of Real Estate Boards (the predecessor
of NAR) witnessed a growth of women working in real estate and an
increased participation of women at national conventions, as women were
becoming aware of their potential in and importance to the industry.
A
Women's Division had already been created in 1924 by the California
Real Estate Association. Fourteen years later, 1938 National President
Joseph Catherine encouraged the formation of a national Women’s Council
after being impressed by the California group.
At the
time, NAR was already 30 years old, but most decisions were still made
by local boards—most of which were resistant to offering membership to
women. However, the National Association was ready to recognize women
in real estate, and a positive vote resulted in the formation of a
women's division at the Annual Convention in Milwaukee in November
1938. Thirty-seven ambitious women represented nine states at that
meeting for WCR's inception.
Since its inception, many dedicated members have served as role models
and achieved many “firsts” in the industry and in their communities.
Through the decades, WCR's membership growth reflected the vast number
of women choosing to work in real estate as they recognized the immense
career benefits combined with a WCR membership, including:
- Earnings equitable to men's because "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.
- Confidence through connection with other professional women REALTORS®.
- Recognition for their own achievements and success, as well as inspiration and courage to strive for greater successes.
Women’s Council Today
Today Women's Council is a nationwide community of 19,000 real estate
professionals who include many of the best and brightest in the
business. The backbone of WCR is its network of more than 300 local and
state chapters with volunteer managers trained to position their groups
as a business resource in their REALTOR® communities.
In
1998, WCR created an annual Leadership Academy for incoming local
chapter presidents (adding state presidents-elect in 2006). With its
in-depth chapter management training, the Academy was recognized with
the prestigious Leadership Development Trophy in Chapter Relations from
the American Society of Association Executives in its first year. With
regular networking and educational programs delivered at the local
chapter level, which are designed to keep members on top of an evolving
market, it’s small wonder that WCR members collectively generate more
than $100 million in commissions annually.
At WCR we are
never standing still. That’s why in 2003 we launched an entirely new
REALTOR® designation, the Performance Management Network. The first
course in the new curriculum, Effective Negotiating for Real Estate
Professionals, premiered with a record-breaking 330 students—the most
highly attended initial offering of any WCR course to date.
The designation program combines WCR’s thriving referral network with
new courses that address the hot topics that are shaping real estate,
like effective negotiating, conflict and change management, networking
to generate referrals and more.
Today, WCR is the twelfth largest U.S. women's professional
organization and has one of the most successful communication networks
in the NAR family. Chapters include real estate professionals who
support the objectives of WCR and are interested in serving the
industry, the community and fellow REALTORS®.
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