Notable Women in Real Estate

Indialantic-FL    

In commemoration of March  being Women’s Month, I thought it would be appropriate to highlight some of the notable women in real estate.  Of course, there are too many to mention, but I thought it would be great to take a stroll down history lane.Women have made great contributions throughout history in multiple roles.

Just think that prior to 1848 in New York State, a married women lost any right to control property that was hers prior to marriage.  She couldn’t acquire any property during marriage either.  She could not make contracts, keep or control her own wages, rents, transfer property, sell or bring any lawsuit.  That changed in 1848 in the State of New York.  However, it wasn’t until 1860 that married women were given rights to control property in other parts of the United States.

Ridiculous, when even from a scriptural point, King Lemuel’s mother gave him the following advice when choosing a wife as found in Proverbs 31:18, 25 “She sees that her trading is profitable.  Her lamp does not go out at night.  She is clothed with strength and splendor, and she looks to the future with confidence.”  How true those words are which were written before 717 B.C.E.   They sound as if they were written in our modern times.

You may have heard of some of these women.  Some I chose because you can’t help but be impressed given their place in time.  In some shape or another, they developed, expanded, invaded their way and expanded the real estate of their nations.  In modern times, the real estate is held more closely and sold when the market is right.

Hatshepsut

Believed to have been born 1508 B.C.E and died 1458 BC

Hatshepsut was one of the most powerful women in the ancient world. She was the fifth pharaoh of the Eighteenth Dynasty of Ancient Egypt and ruled longer than any other woman in Egyptian history. It is believed that she was one of Ancient Egypt’s most successful monarchs. She commissioned many building projects and reestablished trade networks that had been disrupted by the Hyksos invaders of the Second Intermediate Period. Hatshepsut also led a large-scale expedition to the Land of Punt, a wealthy and sophisticated country to the south of Egypt.

Empress Theodora

Believed to have been born 500 AD and died 548 AD

Empress Theodora was one of the most influential and powerful women in the Early Middle Ages. She had a very colorful life before becoming the wife of Emperor Justinian I and joint ruler of the Byzantine Empire. Theodora participated in making Constantinople one of the world’s most sophisticated cities and promoting women’s rights. She had bridges, aqueducts, and churches built.  The Hagia Sophia, built between 532 AD and 537 AD, is considered one of the greatest examples of Byzantine architecture.

Eleanor of Aquitaine

Believed to have been born 1122 and died 1204

Eleanor was one of the wealthiest and most powerful women in Europe and the world during the High Middle Ages.Aquitaine was the largest and wealthiest province of France during the 12th century. Unlike many other monarchs and women of the Middle Ages, Eleanor and her family were very well educated. Eleanor is credited for having transformed Aquitaine into one of the largest intellectual and cultural centers in Medieval Western Europe. Eleanor became a key figure in developing trade agreements between Western Europe, Constantinople, and the Holy Land.

Catherine II of Russia

Born in 1729 and died 1796

Catherine II, also known as Catherine the Great ruled over Russia which was and still is the world’s largest country geographically. She also expanded the Russian Empire to the Black Sea by defeating the Ottoman Empire in two major wars. Catherine’s empire spanned over three continents: Europe, Asia, and part of North America. It stretched from the Arctic Ocean to the North, the Black Sea to the South, Alaska and the Pacific to the East, and the Baltic Sea to the West.

Hetty Green

Born November 21, 1834, died July 3, 1916.

I’m including Hetty Green because she was such a colorful individual.  She made her money in Wall Street.  She was nicknamed “The Witch of Wall Street,” I am sure by jealous men.  She was an American businesswoman and financier known as “the richest woman in America” during the Gilded Age.She amassed her fortune when other major financiers were men.

Now we move into the modern era.  Out of sheer vanity, I will not mention these ladies birth dates as they are still living.  However, their accomplishments continue to be impressive.

Yelena NikolayevnaBaturina is Russia’s richest woman and the only Russian woman worth more than a billion dollars. She founded a major investment and construction company Inteco. She currently owns a hotel chain and is the founder of BE OPEN, a cultural and philanthropic foundation. She is the 1075th richest person in the world currently, after tumbling from a much higher wealth.  The real estate market had an international tumble whose effect did not escape Yelena.

Zhang Xin is a Chinese business magnate. Presently, she is the CEO of SOHO China, the largest commercial real estate developer in Beijing, and as of September 2012, the chairwoman of Teach For China Board of Directors.  She has won many prestigious international awards for her role as a patron of visionary architecture in China and as an innovative entrepreneur. In 2007, she was selected as one of the “Ten Women to Watch in Asia” by the Wall Street Journal. In 2008, she was listed among Forbes Magazine‘s “World’s Most Powerful Women”. In 2009, Zhang Xin was included among Forbes’ “Top Ten Billionaire Women We Admire” and Financial Times’ “Top 50 Women in World Business”. In March 2010, she was named among “China Top 10 Career Women Role Models in 2009″ by the All-China Women’s Federation, China Sun Media Group, Sina.com and Hunan TV. In 2011, Zhang Xin was named among the “The International Power 50″ of the “Most Powerful Women” by Fortune Magazine, and was again recognized as one of “World’s Most Powerful Women” by Forbes.

Stacie Turner, who you may know as one of the members of the Real Housewives of Washington, D.C., carved her niche in real estate.  During her carrier as a realtor, Stacie sold over $160 million worth of real estate.  She is named as one of the eleven black real estate moguls thru buying, selling and developing real estate.

Barbara Corcoran is probably one of the most visible real estate entrepreneur’s thanks to ABC’s Shark Tank.  She was a diner waitress that took a $1,000 loan to start a real estate firm, The Corcoran Group, in New York City and turned it into an empire.  In 2001, she sold NRT, LLC,the largest residential real estate brokerage company in the United States of America and sold it for a whopping $66 million, you can’t help but be impressed.  I don’t think she ever has to worry about serving another blue plate special.  Barbara’s present net worth is $140 million.  Talk about rags to riches.

So as we enter into Women’s Month let’s be ever mindful of the incredible women who surround us each and every day.  Referencing again a timeless book, this time Proverbs 31:29, 31  “There are many capable women, but you, you surpass them all.  Give her the reward for what she does, and let her works praise her in the city gates.”

 Contributing Author

Lilyvette Rodriguez   

Lilyvette Rodriguez is the author of this magnificent article. Lilyvette was kind enough to contribute her  writing on  " Notable Women in Real Estate",  I want to thank Lilyvette Rodriguez and  also recognize Lilyvette Rodriguez  as a friend, mentor , but most of all as a " Notable Woman In Real Estate "

Lilyvette is the CEO of Excel Realty and has a proven record of success as a broker and real estate agent for over 20 years.  Her business reflects a broad spectrum of knowledge and services in sales and property management.  Lilyvette provides an optimal level of representation for stakeholders by being an advocate for consumers in each transaction.  In addition to representing residential buyers and sellers, Lilyvette also works with short sale, foreclosure, REO and probate properties.  This allows her to effectively represent traditional buyers and investors who appreciate her real time understanding of property values and market movement.  

Her 15 years of corporate experience from working as a legal assistant in the insurance and banking industries prove to be a continued asset when contract negotiating.  Lilyvette’s market coverage areas include San Bernardino, Riverside Counties and the Pomona Valley in Southern California.  She holds multiple real estate certifications/designations.  Lilyvette served as 1^st VP of Orange County Realists Board and named Broker of the Year (2011).  Presently she serves as AVP of SoCal Council of Residential Specialists, Diversity Chair and a Charter Member of WinDS as well as Board Member on the WinDS Foundation and President (ProTem) Neighborhood Housing Services of the Inland Empire (NHSIE).  As an active leader in her community she co-founded CCFR Community Services, a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization which provides information, resources and access to services for residents in underserved communities.

Community

Neighborhood Housing Services of Inland Empire (NHSIE) – Conduct buyer awareness classes. Provide resources, identify current down payment assistance programs, buyer orientation to homeownership.

Freddie Mac Credit Smart Program – train real estate agents on how to identify and develop community partnerships. How to network with non-profits, corporations and churches.

National Association of Realtors Instructor of the Employer Assisted Housing program.  EAH is a program where a Realtors work with employers in establishing a housing program as an employee benefit.

Laureen Trent- VP  Trent Realty Florida 
 Journalist ,Media  &  RE Consultant 
WinDS & WinDS Foundation Florida Director  

Lilyvette Rodriguez  - CEO Excel Realty- 
Contributing Author" Notable Women in Real Estate"
WinDS & WinDS Foundation National BOD's 

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