Three hashtags — #LeadersMadeHere, #IAmWomensCouncil and #comeasyouR — represent the Women’s Council of Realtors on the national, state and local levels.

First, #LeadersMadeHere speaks to the ripple effect of growth within the organization. Many of the group’s leaders started out by attending an event that piqued our interest. Then we became members, slowly after that we were nudged to join a work group, then we were tapped on the shoulder to rise to a board position and finally, we were called to bring someone up behind us.

Second, #IAmWomensCouncil identifies that our organization is greater than us. The Women’s Council of Realtors Chicago is a branch of this tree that is determined to help women grow and succeed in the real estate industry. This growth expands to all real estate professionals, not just Realtors. This success is accomplished by establishing strategic partnerships with lenders, attorneys, title representatives, inspectors, appraisers and other third-party vendors. These partnerships develop the foundations for lasting relationships.

Third, #comeasyouR is a slogan established by Sarah Ware, the 2023 president of the Chicago Association of Realtors and the 2016 president of the Women’s Council of Realtors Chicago. Ware is challenging all Realtors to show up, regardless of where they are in their personal lives or their professional lives. IF you show up, you could be met at your level. IF you show up, you could learn something. IF you show up, you can go from president of Women’s Council of Realtors Chicago to president of the Chicago Association of Realtors.

At the Women’s Council of Realtors Chicago, we embody these slogans and have committed to growing our network with a diverse group of real estate professionals. This group is diverse not only in race, ethnicity, religion and gender, but also in practice type, product type, seniority, education and socioeconomic status. This year, our board has committed to intentionally choosing venues throughout our great city and highlighting neighborhoods that are often overlooked. We want to take our members, prospective members and strategic partners on journeys that are less traveled. We want to ask the tough questions.

The current board took office in November and hit the ground running with a successful installation in December. We saw the largest number of installation attendees since 2018. In January, we hosted our first sold-out event in River North’s Glow MediSpa, focusing on health and wellness. In February, we hosted our second sold-out event, at Gibson’s in the Gold Coast, where we educated our members on pivoting and improving in a shifted market. In March, we collaborated with the Chicago Association of Realtors on its annual Titans of Industry event, which featured three Women’s Council of Realtors Chicago members alongside an amazing panel of women industry leaders.

In April, we were excited to bring our members to Chatham’s Bourdeau Griffin Design Center. At this event, our members were not only told that it was time to break barriers to housing, but also taught how. We collaborated with the Chicago Housing Authority (CHA) on educating our attendees on the CHA’s Choose to Own Program.

In May, we plan to host a networking mixer for our current and prospective members. Additionally, a group of us will travel to Washington, D.C., to represent our network at the Midyear Meeting. In June, we will host a bus tour of new residential developments throughout the City of Chicago. Information on past and future events can be found on our Facebook page and on our Instagram account: @wcr_chicago.

These amazing events are able to take place because of our generous annual sponsors, event sponsors, dedicated members, board and non-members who attend our events. If you are interested in becoming a member or a sponsor, reach out to any of the Chicago network board members.

President:
Natasha Murphy

President-Elect:
Linda Hattar

First Vice President:
Vanessa Bowe

Treasurer:
Ian Schlueter

Membership Director:
Mallori Lockett

Events Director:
Tiffany Jimenez

Finance Team Leader:
Lonzetta McKennie

Ways & Means Team Leader:
Jennifer Williams

Recruitment and Retention Team Leader:
Deanous Reid

Strategic Partner Liaison:
Colleen Rudnick

Immediate Past President:
Antonia Mills Wesselink

Natasha Murphy is the president, and Linda Hattar the president-elect, of the Women’s Council of Realtors Chicago.