A womAn’s world

continued from page 29 attributes her success to Commercial r eal e stateWomenDallas(CreW). t henonprofitorganizationprovides mentoring,marketingandbusiness opportunities to women in the industry, and this year the group marks its 30th anniversary. t oday, C re W hasmorethan300 local professionals affiliated with 8,000 members nationally through other networks throughout the U. s. and Canada.

“e ven in the early to mid-’80s, there were women out there who knew the value of C re W. I knew it immediately,” says Hosford, who joined in 1985 and served as president in 1994.

It started in 1980 with a small group of 12 women networking over lunch, exchangingideasandlearningfrom each other how to succeed in a maledominatedbusiness. t hateventually evolvedintoregularspeakers,panel discussions and workshops.

“I would say that for 15 years now, maybemore,morethanhalfofmy business connections are from C re W,” Hosfordsays.“Agoodbitofthatis national connections.” b ut it wasn’t all about getting ahead. t he members also wanted to give back to the community. Hosford incorporated C reW’s 510(c)3 status and served on the board of trustees, helping the organization carry out its philanthropic mission, C re W Careers — helping disadvantaged girls pursue a good career, whether in commercial real estate or any other field.

“We want to be the women who help other women,” Hosford says. “We got into this to help other women.” t heystartedin2003bygivingto Girls Inc.and DallasHabitatfor Humanity. Neighborhood resident e liza s olender, a broker with s olender-Hall Inc.and1995 C re W Dallaspresident, co-founded the national C re W Foundation. s he says the Dallas chapter paved the way, and C re W Career programssoonbeganrollingoutto chapters throughout the country.

“UsingDallas’philanthropicmodel, we inspired on the national level to give back,” s olender says.

DallasWomen’sFoundationtocover more ground.

“We outsourcedittotheexperts,” Hosford says.

C re W boardmemberssubmitted recommendations to the foundation, and over the years, grants have been awardedtononprofitssuchas t he Family p lace, s usanG.Komenfor the Cure, Genesis Women’s s helter, YWCAof m etropolitanDallasand Interfaith Housing Coalition, as well as a more concentrated effort with the IrmaLerma r angel s chool, a DI sD to advertise call 214.560.4203 e ventually, as the needs of charities increased, C re W partneredwiththe magnet school for girls in grades six through 12. s ince 1985, C re W Dallas has raised $2.8millionformorethan40local nonprofits focused on helping women and girls.

“Women are really interested in giving back to the community,” Hosford says. “(We want) to show disadvantaged girls that they can do more than flip burgers.” s olender, whose brokerage company represents nonprofits, says her involvement with C re W shaped her life.

“Itwasveryhelpfultohaveother women I could talk to,” s olender says. “t hey were mentors. It really makes me much more valuable as a leader.” the commercial real estate industry has come a long way, solender says, and the best part is when there’s a room fullof CreW membersnegotiating a deal. really, a room full of friends.

“t hat’s really fun.”

hard-KnOcK LIFe

Sixth-grader Jenna Katz played the mean orphanage matron, Miss Hannigan, in the Jewish Community Center’s children’s production of “Annie”. It was all part of the Camp Chai summer musical, which included 35 kids ages 8 to 10.