The History of the CHATTANOOGA CHAPTER, WOMEN'S COUNCIL OF REALTORS® OF THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® as documented or remembered by Bettye Harrison, who served as president of the chapter in 1969.

The Chattanooga Chapter was chartered in 1957. The Charter hangs on the wall in the Chattanooga Association of Realtors® building on Amnicola Highway.

Twelve (12) members were required to be eligible to charter a chapter at that time. Chattanooga had fifteen (15) charter members as follows:


The Chattanooga Chapter Today
Celebrating 50 years 1957-2007

  • Mary Virginia Austin
  • Ruth Campbell
  • Nancy M. Casey
  • Eva H. Cook
  • Ruth Faris
  • Jessica Hogan
  • Anna F. Holdam
  • Wilma K. Moseley
  • Lois T. O'Shields
  • Pansey R. Runyon
  • Charlie Belle Sherrill
  • Lula G. Stephens
  • Myrtle Toliver
  • Frances Gordon
  • Betty Hamill

From 1970 through 1980, the Chattanooga Chapter published roster listing the names, addresses, telephone numbers, and photos of all the members.

The first president, Jessica Hogan Mayer was married to a Chattanooga Builder who died. Jessica met her second husband at a meeting of the National Assoication of Realtors®. He owned a real estate company in Florida so Jessica moved to Florida after their marriage. She came back to Chattanooga to help us celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Chattanooga Chapter. Ann Hale was instrumental in getting her here for that event.

Past-Presidents - Chattanooga Chapter

  • 1957 - Jessica Hogan Mayer
  • 1958 - Jessica Hogan Mayer
  • 1959 - Pansy Runyon
  • 1960 - Betty Hamil
  • 1961 - Mary Virginia Austin
  • 1962 - Mary Virginia Austin
  • 1963 - Ruth Faris
  • 1964 - Mary Rankin
  • 1965 - Mary Rankin
  • 1966 - Isabel Langley
  • 1967 - Isabel Langley
  • 1968 - Mildred Spencer
  • 1969 - Bettye Harrison
  • 1970 - Una Ann Elam
  • 1971 - Una Ann Elam
  • 1972 - Evelyn F. Anton
  • 1973 - Evelyn F. Anton
  • 1974 - Opal Privette
  • 1975 - Pauline Whitlock
  • 1976 - Gloria Sutton
  • 1977 - Madeline Sims
  • 1978 - Florence Anderson
  • 1979 - Lois Ramsey
  • 1980 - Opal Privette
  • 1981 - Florence Anderson
  • 1982 - Betty Jones
  • 1983 - Ann Hale
  • 1984 - Isabel Langley
  • 1985 - Betty Jones
  • 1986 - Darlene May-Brown
  • 1987 - Darlene May-Brown
  • 1988 - Susan Jensen
  • 1989 - Susan Jensen
  • 1990 - Nan Dorrill
  • 1991 - Nan Dorrill
  • 1992 - Bettye Harrison
  • 1993 - Vicki Trapp
  • 1994 - Vicki Trapp
  • 1995 - Sue Bales
  • 1996 - Elwynn Schwartz
  • 1997 - Elwynn Schwartz
  • 1998 - Paula Hurt
  • 1999 - Paula Hurt
  • 2000 - Bettye Harrison
  • 2001 - Liz Johnson
  • 2002 - Bonnie Hamilton
  • 2003 - Jennifer Grayson
  • 2004 - Nickie Schwartzkopf
  • 2005 - Jean Smith
  • 2006 - Sharon Smith
  • 2007 - Joyce Smith

Many of our past-presidents have assumed leadership positions in other segments of the Realtor® Association.

Chattanooga Association Presidents:

  • Bettye Harrison - Two Consecutive Terms
  • Gloria Sutton
  • Ann Hale
  • Lois Ramsey Killebrew
  • Darlene May-Brown

Bettye Harrison served as president of the National's Women's Council of Realtors® in 1986. Lois Killebrew served as president of the Tennessee Association of Realtors® and Regional Vice-President of NAR. Bettye Harrison served tweleve (12) and two (2) year term on the Nar Strategic Planning Committee. Bettye Harrison served twelve (12) years as Trustee for the Tennessee Real Estate Education Foundation and two (2) years as its president. Ann Hale has chaired the TAR Governmental Affairs Committee, the Legislative Committee, and the Convention Committee.

WCR Members who have been Realtor® of the Year for the Chattanooga Association are:

  • Isabel Langley
  • Bettye Harrison
  • Ann Hale
  • Lois Killebrew
  • Darlene Brown
  • Elwynn Schwartz

Bettye Harrison was Tennessee Realtor® of the Year in 1986.

WCR - Creating, Devloping, and Achieving

The leadership training courses provided by the WCR helped these women to develop leadership skills that have been valuable to the real estate community, their churches, clubs, community organizations, and their cities and counties.

The Leadership Academy which was organized to train newly elected presidents of chapters has become invaluable to local chapters and their growth.

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Chattanooga, Tennessee Chapter
All Rights Reserved.
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