Delgorio and McCool at the helm for AREW's 30th anniversary year

In 1978, the Association in Real Estate Women (AREW) was founded by a group of forward-thinking women who saw a tremendous need to provide an organizational structure for women, then few and far between in the real estate industry, to meet, network, learn and contribute to each other's professional growth. Formed as the Women's Committee of the Real Estate Industry of New York as an adjunct to REBNY, the group's first event commanded an audience of 175 women for a program that indicated a high level of prescience of the organization that would become AREW. It was entitled "Opportunities for Women in Real Estate." Back then, the panelists were all men. Today, AREW events regularly feature women as guest speakers and, each spring, holds a luncheon with a panel of some of the industry's most influential and powerful women real estate professionals. Joining Frances Delgorio, senior vice president, leasing and marketing, Cohen Brothers Realty Corp. and 2007-08 AREW president at the AREW's helm this 30th year is AREW vice president Jennifer McCool, vice president, development, Moynihan Station Venture, who is also serving as co-chair, with Dana Endicott, managing director, Floorworks, Inc., of AREW's 30th Anniversary Gala to be held on May 8th at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Time Warner Center. The evening will celebrate "Three Decades of Breaking Ground" for women in New York real estate and honor three distinguished New York companies for outstanding achievements in the following real estate categories: Innovative Development: Swig Equities, LLC, Kent Swig, president; Urban Renewal: Forest City Ratner Cos., Joanne Minieri, president and COO; Creative Capitalization: Apollo Real Estate Advisors, Richard Mack, managing partner. Faith Hope Consolo, chairman of the retail leasing and sales division of Prudential Douglas Elliman, is leading the sponsorship for the 30th Anniversary Gala. Her knowledge of AREW stems from her 20-year commitment to the organization. She served as president in 1993, spearheaded countless fund raising efforts, including a record-breaking campaign for the scholarship fund, and originated the Founders Award, given to a rising star in the industry. This year, she has yet again demonstrated her dedication to AREW-her work as sponsorship chair will ensure a successful celebration in May. For information about AREW and the 30th Anniversary Gala (including sponsorship opportunities) please call (212) 599-6181, email [email protected] or visit www.arew.org. If variety is the spice of life, then AREW is an indisputably savory mix as its membership is comprised of the full spectrum of the industry. The multidisciplinary mix creates a stimulating dynamic of opinions, ideas, interests, expertise and opportunities. AREW also makes a difference in the community through the AREW Charitable Fund that provides scholarships to students in real estate and related programs in New York City universities, as well as supports Women In Need, Inc. AREW has much to celebrate this 30th anniversary year, having had a profound influence in elevating the status of women in the highly competitive, male-dominated field of real estate. It has played a major role as the industry's longest running, most consistent and staunchest supporter of women in real estate such that, today, after AREW's "Three Decades of Breaking Ground," women real estate professionals assume all doors are open to them. And they would be right.