GAREALcast on Women's History Month: A Special Chat

March is Women's History Month, and I wanted to take a moment to briefly shine a spotlight on a few inspiring women in real estate (I say "briefly" because there's an entire podcast -- not just one or two episodes -- just waiting to be made on this topic). Join me as I highlight some of the interesting facts about women in real estate, from both a historical and modern perspective, as well as welcome some inspiring guests.

In this episode, join me for a fun brunch with three past female Presidents of the Georgia REALTORS® -- 2001 President Barbara Kennon, 2005 President Jan Baker, and 2013 President Robin Lance. Not only are they three of the 12 female Past Presidents of the Georgia REALTORS®, they are shining examples of leadership and they are fast friends -- the real kind, true "besties" who lift each other up, sing each other's praises...and are constantly on the lookout for future female leaders to continue their legacies.

Honoring HARRIET KONTER: The ladies wanted to be sure that we honored their dear friend, Harriet Konter, first female President of the Georgia REALTORS®, whom we lost in fall or 2019. In her honor, here is a little more about this inspiring woman. Harriet Konter blazed the trail for women serving in GAR leadership roles as the first female president of GAR in 1987. Her REALTOR® association involvement stretches over many decades and includes leadership roles with the Savannah Board of REALTORS® (SABOR), GAR, NAR, and the Women’s Council of REALTORS®. Harriet’s accolades include REALTOR® of the Year for both SABOR and GAR, the Omega Tau Rho Medal from NAR, and NAR’s RPAC Hall of Fame. Along with her late husband, Larry, Harriet founded Konter Realty in Savannah, which she still operates today. Harriet and Larry Konter were the second couple in the U.S. to serve as Presidents of a state association of REALTORS®. SABOR created the Konter Award in honor of the couple, which inducts REALTORS® into the SABOR Hall of Fame.

For the bios of these three inspiring women, please see below.

BARBARA KENNON: Barbara Kennon served as GAR President in 2001, and was tasked with presiding over the GAR Annual Convention that year, which began on September 11. On that infamous day and in the days that followed, Barbara brought her strength of commitment for the REALTOR® family and wrapped each of the attendees up in the warmth of family protection. She was truly the right person at the right moment to lead this organization and its members out of the darkness of the day and into the future. Barbara has served the Columbus Board of REALTORS® as a Director and has chaired multiple committees, including RPAC, Programs, Membership, Public Relations, and Strategic Planning. She served as the Columbus Board’s President in 1983. In addition to serving as 2001 GAR President, Barbara has served as an RPAC Trustee, GRI Dean and Governor, and two terms as Regional Director. She was an alternate Federal Political Coordinator (FPC) for U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson from 2008 through 2012, and is the current FPC for Senator Isakson. Barbara was named GAR REALTOR® of the Year in 1984, and was inducted in the GARPAC Top Investor Hall of Fame in 2011. At the national level, Barbara has served as NAR Region 5 Vice President, chaired the Meeting and Planning Committee, and has also served on the Executive and Issues Mobilization Committees. Barbara has been a member of NAR’s President’s Circle since 2005, and was inducted into the RPAC Hall of Fame in 2010.

JAN BAKER: Jan Baker currently serves as Regional Vice President for Berkshire Hathaway Homes Services and holds the GRI, ABR, and ABRM designations. Jan is a lifetime member of the Million Dollar Club. She served as President of the Cherokee Association in 1987, the Northeast Atlanta Metro Association of REALTORS® (NAMAR) in 1997, and for Georgia REALTORS® in 2005. She is a past Georgia Chapter WCR President, and a past Chair of the National WCR Awards Committee, as well as a past National WCR Governor. At the national level, Jan has served as an RPAC Trustee, an NAR Director, and on both the Membership Policy and Board Jurisdiction Committee and the Public Policy Coordinating Committee. Jan also served on a state task force that was charged with drafting of the Georgia Brokerage Relationships in Real Estate Act (BRRETA).

She is a member of the NAR President’s Circle and was inducted into the GARPAC Top Investors Hall of Fame at the Gold Level in 2012. She is also a member of NAR’s RPAC Hall of Fame.

Jan’s accolades include REALTOR® of the Year five times at the local level and 2003 GAR REALTOR® of the Year. She received the Dick McCrudden Award in 1999, and the GAR President’s Award in 2000.

ROBIN LANCE: Robin Lance is an Associate Broker and Co-Owner of Prudential Coastal Georgia Properties in Richmond Hill, Ga. She graduated from high school in Turkey, where her father was stationed while serving in the United States Air Force. Upon returning to the states, Robin attended college at Armstrong State College in Savannah. Upon obtaining her real estate license in 1977, she began to pursue real estate full time and hasn’t looked back since.

Robin earned her broker’s license in 1980, and immediately became active in her local board, the Savannah Board of REALTORS® (SABOR). Her early involvement includes stints as the President of the SABOR Young Council of REALTORS® in 1980 and President of the Savannah Chapter of the Women’s Council of REALTORS® in 1983. Robin served as President of SABOR in 1997. She has also been very active with the Georgia REALTORS®, serving as Region 9 Director, and has served on committees for the National Association of REALTORS® in recent years.

Robin has been awarded numerous accolades throughout her career. She was chosen Outstanding Woman of the Year by the Women’s Council of REALTORS®, received the SABOR REALTOR® Citizenship Award, SABOR REALTOR® of the Year, the President’s Award, and the Charles F. Fulton Award. Robin and was one of the first inductees into SABOR’s Konter Hall of Fame in 2009, and she was honored to be a nominee for REALTOR® of the Year for the Georgia REALTORS® in 2004 and 2005.

Robin’s main focus in the business is that of listing and selling. She has also been involved in property management and overseeing the management of her company along with her parents, Bob and Roberta Bennett. Robin holds the GRI designation as well as the Certified Distressed Property and HAFA certifications.

Robin resides in Savannah with her husband, Billy, and with Isabel, a two-pound Yorkshire Terrier. They have one daughter, Cassady and a wonderful son-in-law, Daniel who also reside in Savannah.

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