AREW to celebrate 25th anniversary.

Founded in 1978, the Association of Real Estate Women will commemorate its quarter century mark with a gala at the St. Regis Hotel on April 2 during which the association will formally honor women of outstanding achievement in twelve categories of professional real estate expertise.

AREW holds a unique place in the real estate industry as the first association specifically established to provide women with the opportunity to meet and network with other women real estate professionals.

"From today's perspective, it is difficult to imagine that a mere 25 years ago, women professionals were relatively rare in the real estate industry with almost none in the upper echelons," said Patricia Van B. Madsen, Esq., real estate partner at Winston & Strawn and co-chair of AREW's 25th Anniversary Committee. "Since its inception, AREW has been a driving force in opening minds and doors to promote professional advancement of women within the industry."

"It is particularly fitting in this 25th anniversary year that AREW acknowledge the then-and-now of women in the industry by highlighting the remarkable achievements of twelve women real estate leaders," said Ruth A. Agnese, MAI, senior vice president of Appraisers and Planners, Inc. and co-chair of AREW's 25th Anniversary Committee.

Unlike many organizations which focus on one area of real estate specialty, one of AREW's distinctions is its diverse membership representing the full spectrum of the industry. Illustrative of that diversity, AREW will select one woman from each of the following categories of professional expertise to be honored at the gala: Appraisal and Valuation; Architecture, Design and Engineering; Corporate Real Estate; Development and Construction; Finance; Law; Office Brokerage; Property Management; Public Sector; Real Estate Services including Accounting, Consulting, Journalism and Title Insurance; Residential Brokerage; and Retail Brokerage.

Nominations are being sought from the real estate industry at large (nominees need not be members of AREW) for women of outstanding achievement in any or all of the above categories. The deadline for receipt of nominations is Dec. 31. Nominations should include name, title, company name, address and phone number of nominee (nominator's information is optional) and can be faxed to [phone]; e-mailed to [e-mail]; or mailed to AREW, 551 Fifth Ave., Suite 3025, New York, NY 10176.

Outstanding Real Estate Women Awards panel members include former AREW presidents Nora C. Coffey, business development consultant, Louise M. Matthews, director, Corporate Real Estate, Colgate Palmolive Corporation, and Carol J. Patterson, Esq., partner, Zetlin & De Chiara; AREW vice president Marie-Claire Cunningham, director, Corporate Services, GVA Williams; and Dorothy Vermeer, vice president, H.J. Kalikow & Co. Deliberations by the panel will be private and their decisions final.

Real Estate Weekly has been named exclusive media partner for AREW's 25th Anniversary season and will publish a special supplement in March 2003 spotlighting the twelve Outstanding Real Estate Women selected by AREW.

Additional 25th Anniversary Committee members include sponsorship co-chairs Faith Hope Consolo, vice chairman, Garrick-Aug Worldwide, Ltd. and Maureen Monroe, vice president/chief appraiser, Citigroup Center for Community Development Enterprise; venue chair Caroline Salvino; and design chair Kenne Shepherd, ALA, principal, Kenne Shepherd Interior Design/Architecture.

Thirty charter members formed the organization that would become AREW as the Women's Committee of the Real Estate Industry of New York, an adjunct to REBNY. Its inaugural luncheon in December, 1978 attracted an audience of 175 women to a seminar entitled "Opportunities for Women in Real Estate."

AREW continues to influence greater acceptance, exposure and opportunities for women through its outstanding educational programs, superior networking, special events and the AREW Charitable Fund which supports Women In Need, Inc. and provides scholarships for students in real estate and related programs in New York City educational institutions. The organization today has a membership of 250 men and women real estate professionals.