Lenore Janis, president and chief executive of Professional Women in Construction (PWC) National, was recently honored as one of the Top 20 Women in Real Estate by Sokol Media, Inc., at a special awards ceremony at Club 101 in New York City.

In 1980, Janis, then the owner of a steel erection company, was one of a dozen founders of PWC. Under her leadership, PWC has worked diligently to help women and minorities make strides in an industry that was once considered an all-male territory. Since 1995, Janis has devoted herself full-time to the nonprofit association. She has gained the support of major national companies and public agencies, led PWC's expansion along the east coast with five successful chapters (N.Y.,N.J.,Conn.,D.C.,Penn.) and one launching in South Florida, and increased membership  totals to over 1,100 women and men. PWC National draws capacity crowds to monthly events including business networking sessions, an annual trade show & recruitment fair, golf outings, awards events, and breakfast seminars.
Lori Sokol, president of Sokol Media, said that the women honored "represent a whole host of talent, skills and expertise in fields ranging from architecture, engineering, development, brokerage, finance and marketing," adding that they are "examples of what is possible and probable" for all women to achieve. Sokol publishes NY Residential Magazine and co-produces, with Sparkway Media, a program on house-hunting, "NY Residential TV" airing Sundays at 9 a.m. on CW11. Tags: