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Celebrate National Women’s Month by honoring the trailblazing women who shaped real estate, from brokers to architects, breaking barriers and building

In the early 1900s, women were beginning to transition from clerical roles to sales agents, yet they were often excluded from industry associations. That changed in 1910 when Corrine Simpson of Seattle became the first woman to join the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR), paving the way for future female professionals in the field.

Catherine Bauer Wurster – A Visionary in Affordable Housing A leading advocate for housing reform, Catherine Bauer was instrumental in drafting the Housing Act of 1937, which introduced subsidized housing for low-income citizens. Over her 30-year career, she advised three U.S. presidents and numerous federal agencies on urban planning and housing policy.

A leading advocate for housing reform, Catherine Bauer was instrumental in drafting the Housing Act of 1937, which introduced subsidized housing for low-income citizens. Over her 30-year career, she advised three U.S. presidents and numerous federal agencies on urban planning and housing policy.

Celebrating National Women’s Month: Women in Real Estate

March is National Women’s History Month, a time to honor the contributions, achievements, and progress of women in various industries—including real estate.

Wohrle real estate school is proud to celebrate the incredible women who have shaped the housing market, built thriving careers, and empowered others through property ownership and investment.

Breaking Barriers: Women’s Journey to Leadership in Real Estate

Women have been involved in real estate since the industry’s earliest days in the late 1700s. However, their roles were initially limited to administrative work. It wasn’t until the late 1800s that women gradually began entering the field as brokers and agents, paving the way for future generations.

When the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) was founded in 1908, its membership was exclusively male, even though approximately 3,000 women were already working as brokers nationwide. It wasn’t until 1910 that the first female member, Corrine Simpson, a broker from Seattle, Washington, joined the organization.

While NAR itself never officially prohibited women from joining, many local real estate associations did. Until the 1950s, women were often excluded from real estate boards, limiting their opportunities for professional growth. In response to these challenges, the Women’s Council of REALTORS® was founded in 1938 to provide support, networking, and leadership opportunities for women in the industry.

By 1978, women had become the majority within NAR’s membership. Today, according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), women make up over 60% of all real estate agents, proving that this field offers incredible opportunities for career growth and success.. Additionally, women play a crucial role in homeownership trends—single women are twice as likely to purchase homes compared to single men.

Trailblazing Women in Real Estate and Housing

Throughout history, women have made significant contributions to real estate, interior design, urban planning, and housing policy; often overcoming barriers to enter a male dominated field. Here are some of the pioneering women who shaped the industry.

Elsie de Wolfe – The Pioneer of Interior Design

At the turn of the 20th century, interior design was one of the few real estate-related fields accessible to women, with nearly 84% of decorators being female. Elsie de Wolfe is widely recognized as the founder of the interior design profession, styling homes for prominent clients like the Vanderbilts and the Duke and Duchess of Windsor.

Corrine Simpson – Breaking Barriers in Real Estate

Cora Wright – A Champion for Women in Real Estate

During the 1920s, Cora Wright played a crucial role in founding the Women’s Council of REALTORS® (WCR). Unlike Corrine Simpson, she was denied membership in NAR due to her local board’s men-only policy, highlighting the obstacles women faced in advancing their real estate careers.

Catherine Bauer Wurster – A Visionary in Affordable Housing

Ebby Halliday – The First Lady of Real Estate

Ebby Halliday began building her real estate empire in Dallas in the mid-1940s, earning her the title "First Lady of Real Estate." By the 1950s, gender restrictions in real estate boards started to lift, leading to the expansion of women-focused organizations like WCR and the Realtyettes in Portland, Oregon.

Patricia Harris – A Trailblazer in Housing Policy

In the late 1970s, Patricia Harris made history as the first Black woman to lead the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Under her leadership, the department shifted its focus to combating housing discrimination and revitalizing inner-city neighborhoods.

Dorcas Helfant – Shattering Ceilings in Real Estate Leadership

Women made up only 17% of NAR’s membership in the 1970s, but by 1992, Dorcas Helfant of Virginia became the organization’s first female president, marking a turning point for women in real estate leadership.

Zaha Hadid – Redefining Architecture and Design

Women continue to be underrepresented in senior leadership roles in real estate, particularly in construction. However, they have a strong presence in architecture, with nearly 32% of architects being women, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. In 2004, Zaha Hadid became the first woman to receive the prestigious Pritzker Prize, often referred to as the "Academy Award of Architecture."

Inspiring Generations Through the Power of Women in Real Estate

These pioneering women have not only shaped the past and present of real estate but also continue to inspire future generations to break barriers and redefine the industry.

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