It is often said that a man does not have a role in a women’s organization. The men that support the Women’s Council of REALTORS® Chicago network have proven otherwise. We would like to acknowledge them and their commitment to our network since its inception over 30 years ago.
As you may know, the Women’s Council of REALTORS® Chicago started the 2024 fiscal year with the theme “Shine Bright Like a Diamond” as a nod to the 85th anniversary of the organization. The organization exists because for the first 20 years of its existence, women were barred admission from many local Realtor associations.
The Chicago network and the leadership team pride themselves on pushing the creative envelope and expanding the organization’s reach to the city’s 77 neighborhoods by touching all groups of people. This year, we successfully hosted and/or collaborated on 12 events, of which four were complimentary to our network members. These efforts would not be possible without the support of the men (and women) in the room.
Notably, we recognize the network’s current finance chair, Patrick Keough of Citi; two-time past treasurer Ian Schlueter of Chicago Title; past leadership team member Deanous Reid of FJ Williams Realty; general members John C. Kmiecik of C21 Circle, Lutalo McGee of Ani World LLC, Illinois REALTORS® President Matt Silver of Corcoran Urban and Frank J. Williams of FJ Williams Realty; and strategic partner/annual sponsor Kevin Peterson of Liberty Title & Escrow Co.
In addition to these men, we have had countless men support our network as event sponsors, event emcees, moderators and panelists, and we appreciate those efforts and recognize that our success is not possible without their commitments and contributions. These men signed up and showed up in their commitment to building women leaders. They were and continue to be cheerleaders for women in the real estate industry, whether it’s in a broker, staff or managerial role, by providing opportunities of collaboration, words of encouragement and financial support to the network. We appreciate their efforts and encourage other men to get involved and level up their support for the women of the Chicago network.
If you’re wondering how you can get involved, there will be many opportunities in the 2025 fiscal year. The 2025 leadership team will prioritize and highlight the significance of health and wellness for real estate professionals. This mission is personal to WCR Chicago’s president-elect, Keisha Williams, as she was diagnosed with overactive fibroid disorder in early 2023. This late discovery came because of putting her health on the back burner for an exorbitant amount of time. The timing of the diagnosis led to surgery in October 2023, with the removal of approximately 4 pounds of fibroids. This could have been an earlier diagnosis had she taken the time to put her health first and/or talk with peers who were having similar experiences.
Often men and women in the real estate industry are moving at the speed of light or are handicapped by their circumstances, leading to a shift in priorities. If you have followed the news in 2024, you heard about the gray cloud cast over Realtors with the NAR leadership changes, litigation and shifts in standard business practices. It’s no wonder that self-care was less of a priority. In addition, we as a nation do not prioritize the wealth of our health, but for the Chicago network, it STOPS HERE.
Stay tuned to our Facebook page, Women’s Council of REALTORS® Chicago, and our Instagram page, @wcr_chicago, for future event details and to get involved in leadership and/or sponsorship.
Linda Hattar is the president and Keisha Williams is the president-elect of the Women’s Council of REALTORS® Chicago.