Celebrating Women’s History in Real Estate

Louisiana REALTORS® • March 13, 2023

As we celebrate Women's History Month, it's important to acknowledge the immense contributions women have made to the real estate industry. From pioneering agents to influential brokers, women have played a vital role in shaping the real estate landscape.

Here are some key moments and figures in real estate that were made possible and created by women.


Elizabeth J. McCormick

In 1903, Elizabeth J. McCormick became the first woman to earn a real estate license in the United States. She went on to establish the Women's Real Estate Association of Chicago, which aimed to support and empower women in the industry.


Dorothy Alther

In 1936, Dorothy Alther became the first female member of the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR). She went on to become the first female president of the Illinois Association of REALTORS® in 1950.


Barbara Corcoran

Barbara Corcoran founded The Corcoran Group in 1973 with just $1,000. She built the company into one of the largest and most successful real estate firms in New York City before selling it in 2001 for $66 million. Corcoran is also a bestselling author and a judge on the hit TV show Shark Tank.


Joan Kroc

In 1980, Joan Kroc, the wife of McDonald's founder Ray Kroc, became one of the first female real estate developers in the country. She used her wealth to build low-income housing communities and shopping centers, and her legacy lives on through the Joan Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice at the University of San Diego.


Dottie Herman

Dottie Herman is the CEO of Douglas Elliman, one of the largest real estate brokerages in the United States. She began her career in real estate as a secretary and worked her way up to the top of the industry, becoming the first woman to hold the CEO position at a major real estate brokerage in New York City.


These women, and countless others like them, have blazed a trail for women in real estate. Today, women make up a significant portion of real estate agents and brokers, and many are leaders in the industry. However, there is still work to be done to ensure that women have equal opportunities and pay in the real estate field.


As a REALTOR®, you can honor Women's History Month by learning more about the achievements and struggles of women in the industry. You can also support and mentor women who are just starting out in real estate, and advocate for policies that promote gender equality in the workplace.


Let's celebrate the women who have shaped the real estate industry and continue to pave the way for future generations.

REALTOR® RESOURCES

2026 Legislative Session Scoop - Week 1 Recap

By Louisiana REALTORS® • March 13, 2026
Louisiana’s 2026 Regular Session opened this week with several developments that matter directly to REALTORS ®, property managers and housing providers, alongside some broader political shifts worth watching. HB 292: Security Deposit Return Timelines Rep. Delisha Boyd’s HB 292, which addresses procedures for returning residential security deposits, was deferred to next week. This provides additional time for stakeholders to engage with members on practical impacts for lease administration, move out inspections and documentation standards. We’ll continue working to ensure any changes to deposit law are clear, workable and do not expose housing providers to unreasonable liability. Land Use and Development: St. James Parish Decision The Louisiana Supreme Court’s recent St. James Parish decision significantly tightens the standards for overturning local land use decisions, reinforcing that zoning and permitting authority rests with parish and municipal governments as long as their decisions are not arbitrary or capricious. For real estate and development, that means more predictability if projects are aligned with adopted plans and ordinances, but also higher stakes in local elections, planning processes and parish-level negotiations. Governor’s State of the State In his State of the State address, Governor Jeff Landry reiterated his push to phase out the state income tax, expand the LA GATOR and MJ Foster scholarship and workforce programs, and replace vehicle inspection stickers with a QR code system. These programs frame a debate around long-term competitiveness, workforce readiness and household cost of living which are all key drivers of housing demand and migration patterns. Business & Market Trends The business community is focusing the session on insurance, workforce and energy. Commercial and property insurance costs remain a top concern for employers and property owners, and we are monitoring civil justice and insurance reform proposals that could affect market stability and availability. At the same time, Louisiana is seeing more than $100 billion in announced industrial and data center projects, which could reshape local markets, labor conditions and housing needs in multiple regions of the state. Please view the weekly bill tracking report at the link below provided by our lobbying team over at Harris, DeVille and Associates.
Louisiana real estate regulations are designed to protect consumers

How Real Estate Regulations and Recent Policy Updates Protect Louisiana Homebuyers

By Louisiana REALTORS® • March 11, 2026
Learn how Louisiana real estate regulations, disclosure laws, and licensing standards help protect homebuyers and create safer, more transparent transactions.

2025 Awards Nominations

By Louisiana REALTORS® • March 9, 2026
Nominations are open now through April 24, 2026, for the Louisiana REALTORS® 2025 REALTOR® of the Year & the 2025 Lawrence R. DeMarcay, Jr. Distinguished Service Award. Both awards are aimed to showcase an individual who has volunteered their time in service to the real estate industry. Recipients of the awards will be recognized during the Spring Legislative Conference. (Registration coming soon!) Please see the below links with the selection criteria and consider submitting a nomination today. Contact Donna Teekel at (225) 224-0704 or dteekel@larealtors.org with any questions.
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