Women’s Council of REALTORS® (WCR)

The Women’s Council of REALTORS® (WCR) was created over 80 years ago at a time when women were not allowed admission in many local REALTOR® associations. It’s certainly hard to imagine this today when 67% of REALTOR® members are female and serve in many leadership roles. (Source: National Association of REALTORS (NAR) 2019 Member Profile)

With the hashtag #LeadersMadeHere, the organization’s mission is advancing women as business leaders both in the real estate industry and the community.

Eddie Garcia, NAHREP [6:50], Curtis Hunt, NAGLREP [17:12], Nykea Pippion McGriff, WCR [27:56], and Peter De Jong, AREAA [40:04] share their story of their organizations and how getting involved has helped shape leadership and business skills for a successful career in real estate. 

“I was afraid to speak publicly but what I love about this organization is that you get to face your fears,” says Nykea Pippion McGriff, a broker with Dream Town Realty in Chicago, who served as 2019 president of the WCR Illinois state chapter. She also serves as President-Elect of the Chicago Association of REALTORS® and on the board for Illinois REALTORS® and the National Association of REALTORS®.

About WCR, she says: “It’s one hundred percent volunteer-run. So when I shared about my fear of public speaking, I was asked to do the pledge at a meeting, do an inspiration. And now I’m speaking on panels.”

In fact, McGriff served on a panel for the Congressional Black Caucus’ 2019 Legislative Conference on the topic of Black Money Matters, hosted by U.S. Congressman Bobby Rush (Illinois 1st Congressional District) for whom she serves as the NAR-appointed Federal Political Coordinator.

“WCR does not specifically advocate for policy,” says McGriff. “We advocate for the real estate industry, but we make sure we are training our leaders to be in the room when those decisions are being made at local, state and national levels.”

In fact, WCR tracks its progress in building future women leaders. You can find stats like this in the At-a-Glance section of its website:

• 62% of WCR members report being leaders in their local community
• 17% of members of the National Association of REALTORS (NAR) Board of Directors are WCR members
• 18% of the NAR committee slots are held by WCR members
• 10% of local or state REALTOR® association presidents are WCR members

“Specifically, for new agents, WCR can offer a peer mentor and a farm for business,” says McGriff. “When you leave the classroom you get training from your brokerage and MLS. By attending WCR meetings you can get peer mentoring, someone to ask questions.”

She adds: “When you volunteer on a committee you may have to learn QuickBooks which is a transferable skill to your business.”

Learn more from Nykea Pippion McGriff as she talks about WCR with Jakeeva Lee, Illinois REALTORS® Industry Partners Liaison, and Brian Kwilosz of the Illinois REALTORS® YPN Advisory Board, in the latest YPN podcast “Expand Your Network with Industry Partners.”

WCR At-a-Glance

Membership: 12,000

253 state and local chapters with nine in Illinois:

• Chicago
• Elgin Area McHenry County
• Fox Valley
• Illinois
• North Shore
• Northwest
• Peoria
• Rockford
• West Suburban

Mission: We are a network of successful REALTORS®, advancing women as business leaders in the industry and in the communities we serve.

Membership Fees: $140

Established: 1938

Visit WCR to learn more.

#LeadersMadeHere 

Watch for our next post in this Industry Partners series on the Asian Real Estate Association of America.