(Above:  WCR Columbus Past Presidents)

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 real estate and a positive vote resulted in the formation of the 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.

In 1984, WCR established the Leadership Training Graduate (LTG) designation. Courses covering communication, personal power, group dynamics, meeting management, leadership, public speaking and technology are part of the program which fosters leadership and professionalism in career and personal life.

In 1989, WCR established the Referral & Relocation Certification (RRC). In 1994, the Governing Board approved incorporating the RRC courses into the LTG program.

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. The Academy provides over 200 local 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 published Connections and the Referral Roster. Connections is particularly unique in that it offers articles on business and personal growth topics specifically targeted to real estate professional, especially women. The Referral Roster is a critical resource for WCR members, which lists the entire membership and provides links for referrals. WCR’s Web site, launched in June, 1996, is an additional referral tool with daily updates to all member records and over 15,000 active hotlinks to members’ e-mail and home pages.

Today, with more than 250 Chapters and 14,000 members, WCR has one of the most successful communication networks in the NAR family. Chapters include men and women who support the objectives of WCR and are interested in serving the industry, the community and fellow REALTORS®.