March is Women’s History Month! We continue to celebrate the strength and diversity of our industry and organization. Continue reading to learn how we’re honoring the women who have impacted our industry and how you can continue to support homeownership for all.
Discover the History of Women in Real Estate
1910
The first woman to join the National Association of REALTORS® was Seattle broker Corrine Simpson.
1920
Cora Wright, one of the founders of the Women’s Council of REALTORS® (WCR), was not allowed to be a member of the Chicago Real Estate Board because of her gender. Instead, she joined the smaller neighboring Oak Park Real Estate Board and thus became a member of NAR. Most of the local boards had dropped the gender restriction by the early 1950s.
1950
With a 46 to 8 vote by the Board of Directors, women were officially allowed to join the Chicago Association of REALTORS®, 67 years after it was formed.
1974
Sex was added to the list of federal protected classes under the Fair Housing Act. This ultimately made it illegal to discriminate in housing and legalized fair opportunity for women to apply (and co-sign) on a mortgage application and obtain any housing.
2001
Gender identity was added to the list of federal protected classes.
Meet Our Women Leaders
Board of Directors
Erika Villegas, President
Vick Silvano, Treasurer
Sarah Ware, Immediate Past President
Genie Birch, Director
Sheila Dantzler, Director
Amy Hall, Director
Linda Hattar, Director
Kim Kerbis, Director
Marki Lemons Ryhal, Director
Megan Oswald, Director
Rachel Scheid, Director
Staci Slattery, Director
Amy Wu, Director
Foundation Board of Trustees
Antonia Mills Wesselink, Chair
Kelly Price, Vice Chair
Sharon Aguilera, Treasurer/Secretary
Megan Oswald, Immediate Past President
Rachel Scheid, Trustee
Keisha Williams, Trustee
Tiffany Jimenez, Trustee
Sarah Langum, Trustee
Past Presidents
- 2023 -2024: Drussy Hernndez
- 2022- 2023: Sarah Ware
- 2021-2022: Antje Gehrken
- 2020-2021: Nykea Pippion McGriff
- 2017-2018: Rebecca Thomson
- 2010-2011: Mabel Guzman
- 2009-2010: Genie Birch
- 2005-2006: Nancy Suvarnamani
- 2004-2005: Darlene Little
- 2000-2001: Millie Rosenbloom
- 1996-1997: Camilla A. Benson
- 1986-1987: Lorraine A. Johnson
2024-2025 Committee Chairs
- Sheila Dantzler: Public Policy Coordinating Committee
- Carrie Georgitsis: Forms and Contracts
- Nadiia Glavin: YPN
- Martha Klein: Grievance Committee
- Mallori Lockett: Member Care Task Force
- Stephanie Poulakidas: Professional Standards Committee
- Ri Prasad: The 77, Diversity Committee
- Vicky Silvano: Finance Committee
Foundation Hall of Fame Inductees
- 2016: Nancy Suvarnamani
- 2014: Millie Rosenbloom
- 2011: Goldie Wolfe Miller
- 1998: Evangeline Gouletas
Celebrate Women’s History Month With Us
March 6th: Titans Of Industry: Women In Real Estate Brunch
Don’t miss our annual Titans of Industry event. This year’s theme is Sharing Your Peace, Profit and Power. We’ll hear from highly sought after REALTORS®, executives, doctors and industry experts on how to become more peaceful, profitable and powerful and most importantly—learn to do it all. This space is for professionals at any level of their career. RSVP to be empowHERed, inspired and educated!
March 25th: D77 Community Meetup
You’re invited! Join the Diversity Committee (the D77) for an informal networking event. In honor of Women’s History Month, we’re meeting up at Kelli’s Chicago, a local, woman-owned business!
Explore Scholarships for Women
- Marki Lemons Ryhal Education Advancement Scholarship: This scholarship supports candidates that are seeking to obtain their real estate license OR attend a Historically Black College and University (HBCU).
- Sarah L. Ware Empowerment Scholarship: This scholarship provides financial assistance for attending industry conferences, events and meetings or paying dues for membership to our Industry Partners.
Support Industry organizations
The Women’s Council of REALTORS® is a network of successful REALTORS® who are advancing women as business leaders in the industry and in our communities. The Chicago chapter is also one of our industry partners! Visit their site to find out what they’re doing and how you can get involved!
