Illinois REALTORS® celebrates the accomplishments of women during March and encourages women to follow their dreams as part of its National Women’s History Month commemoration.

The origins of the month-long celebration began more than 100 years ago in the United States with observation of International Women’s Day (March 8) by social activists in the U.S. and Europe. In the late 1960s and 1970s, activists in California and New York pushed for greater recognition, and in some places Women’s History Week was observed. In February 1980, President Jimmy Carter issued a proclamation for National Women’s History Week.

Starting in March 1987, and continuing every year since, Congress has passed annual resolutions declaring March as Women’s History Month.

Learn more about the history of the effort to end discrimination, improve worker rights, establish voting rights and more at internationalwomensday.com. View a timeline of achievements too.

Leadership matters

Illinois REALTORS® encourages women of all backgrounds who want to become future leaders of our association.

Leadership skills can be honed informally when more experienced members mentor newcomers. Or they can be developed in amore formal environment when members take training and accept greater responsibilities in their local state and national REALTOR® associations, including the state and local chapters of the Women’s Council of REALTORS®.

(Editor’s Note: This is the first in a series of blog posts celebrating all the achievements of women, especially those in real estate. Watch this blog for more information about the 12 women who have served as Illinois REALTORS® presidents, as well as those who are members of our 2023 Board of Directors or chairs of 2023 statewide committees, task forces and working groups.)