One of the main goals of the Women’s Council of REALTORS®, Greater Boston & Central, is to unite, network and build today’s leaders with REALTORS® in the real estate forum through industry events, seminars and collaborations of new developments.
As a REALTOR®, getting involved and building relationships is a fundamental component to helping our clients (buyers and sellers) achieve a harmonious and successful transaction through the arduous journey of home ownership. We are the captains leading the ship through the storm, all the while making sure that the ship knows which direction is most direct and calm.
With a current female membership of 62% percent in the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR), many who are unfamiliar with the organization may ask, ‘why do we need a Women’s Council?’ The answer lies in the history of organized real estate, with NAR going back over 110 years and Women’s Council over 80 years. Women’s Council exists because for the first 20 years of its existence, women were barred admission from many local REALTOR® associations, so a separate group was created, and in turn, a “women’s division” was formed in November 1938 by 37 women from nine states.
Today we have over 13,000 members and 249 local and state networks combined, and we’re still growing. We welcome not only women REALTORS® but all people. Real estate is often seen as a self-promoting and individualized industry. However, being part of the Women’s Council of REALTORS® is a stepping stone to learning and growing together with your colleagues.
Women’s Council members are today’s business leaders and hold positions throughout organizations such as the Greater Boston Association of REALTORS®, the Massachusetts Association of REALTORS®, the National Association of REALTORS®, the Asian Real Estate Association of America (AREAA), the National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals (NAHREP), the LGBTQ+ Real Estate of Greater Boston (ALLIANCE), the Residential Real Estate Council (RRC) and many more organizations.
Seventy-one percent of members agree that as the result of their involvement in the Women’s Council, they have become stronger leaders and have developed advanced leadership skills for their business, community and personal life. Sixty percent of members report they are leaders in their local community. Twenty percent (211 out of 1070) of NAR board of directors also hold membership with Women’s Council and 12% (474 out of 3,791) of NAR committee slots are held by Women’s Council members. LeadersMadeHere is one of the hashtags used by Women’s Council members for our social media content.
When I was approached by a past Women’s Council president to be part of the executive board, I did not feel prepared nor ready to take on any leadership role but was informed that I was already leading. It occurred to me that I needed to be the change that I want to see in the world. I needed to get involved and step up and step out of my comfort zone to learn more about myself while helping others. I remember someone telling me that if you’re not nervous doing something, then you’re not being challenged. I was able to push forward and in 2021, I accepted the role of event director, and in 2022 the role of first vice president, and in 2023 the role of president-elect, and I am now the 2024 president. It’s been a challenge but one that has taught me that if you “step up,” it’s all good!
As leaders in the industry, we need to be much more knowledgeable, accountable and responsible on how we conduct business and build relationships moving forward. Today, with the new changes regarding buyer agency compensation, both a listing agent representing a seller and a buyer agent representing a buyer need to communicate together much more regarding broker services and lead our clients to a successful closing.
The Women’s Council of REALTORS® is instrumental in shaping the future leaders, and we welcome you to come and explore all that we have to offer. Please join us in November for our 2025 Board of Directors Installation. More details and information can be found at wcr.org.
Amy Lam is the 2024 President for the Greater Boston & Central local network.