The Women’s Council of Realtors Santa Clarita Network installed their new Governance Board at Embassy Suites in Valencia on Friday, Dec. 2.

Mayor Laurene Weste delivered the keynote speech.

Installed were Chuck Simons, president, Cindy Mason, president-elect, Cherrie Brown, first vice-president, Sara Gallo, treasurer, Dawn Zirbel, membership director and Carlotta Levy, events director.

The Women’s Council of Realtors is the voice for all women in real estate. Women in real estate represent 66% of all realtors covering the nation.

For the first 20 years of our existence , going back to 1918, women were barred from joining any Realtor Association. Because of not having a voice, in 1938 a “women’s division” was formed at the Annual Convention National Association of Realtors in Milwaukee.

“The Council exists today because its 80+ year history and legacy are much more significant than “an organization of women”. It is the business leadership skills the Council provides that has positioned the Council as a leader for the industry, for organized real estate, and for political action committees.

The backbone of the Council is its network of more than 250 local and state networks in nearly 40 states with volunteer managers trained to position their groups as a business resource in their realtor communities.

This structure represents the largest Networks infrastructure in the realtor family, that represents 1,200 elected officers that drive over 1,500 programs annually that focus on business leadership.”

The Santa Clarita Network was founded in 2013 by a group recognizing the need for leadership skills, business training, and the need for multiple real estate offices to work together to build relationships, and each other’s businesses, bringing a higher level of professionalism to the profession.

Through the years we have advocated volunteerism (not one penny goes to compensation to the leadership of the local network, education, training, as well as developing business and community leadership skills. As an example, Rene Roque, past president of our local network, has just been voted onto the Board of Family Promise and sits on the Homeless Commission for the city of Santa Clarita.

Representing many offices in the Santa Clarita Valley, the Women’s Council of Realtors of Santa Clarita Valley seeks to serve the realtors in our area.

Women’s Council of Realtor’s membership, while mainly women, consists of 10% men in support of our sisters.

“We are a network of successful realtors, advancing women as business leaders in the industry and in the communities we serve.”

For more information about the Women’s Council of Realtors, go to WCR.org or contact president Chuck Simons (661) 977-6616 or president-elect Cindy Mason at (661) 478-4563.

Mayor Lauren Weste delivers keynote address at the board installation of the Women’s Council of Realtors.