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As we wrap up Women’s History Month, it’s important to reflect on the history and significance of this observance. Women’s History Month celebrates women’s contributions to history, culture, and society. It provides an opportunity to highlight women's achievements while raising awareness of the daily issues women face.
In honor of this celebration, we spoke with ORRA members Rosie Papagiannakis, Gihan Awad, Oglah Gatamah, Alena Rivera, Tiphany Weeks, Maria “Rocki” Sanchez, and Tiffany Polite – all industry-leading REALTORS® to get their take on being a woman in the world of real estate.
Each of these women has a unique story to tell, but they all share a passion for empowering other women.
Rosie Papagiannakis, a veteran in the field, overcame the challenges of balancing a demanding career with raising a family. Her real estate career began when she was volunteering overseas in her 20s. She helped people with housing issues during a strike, which sparked her passion for real estate and led her to various positions within the housing industry.
When she moved to the US, she tried to get her real estate license in Louisiana but faced delays. Finally, in 2003, she obtained her license in Florida and began her career as a REALTOR®. Rosie advises women entering real estate to be passionate about the field and driven to help others.
She emphasizes that success comes from helping others and making a positive impact, not just chasing titles or money. Rosie believes that her influence and success empower other women in real estate. She finds it rewarding to see women follow in her footsteps and create their own success stories in the industry.
Gihan Awad transitioned from working at a restaurant as a waitress, a job she enjoyed, to real estate 13 years ago, inspired by her daughter and encouraged by her husband. She draws inspiration from her mother, who embodies resilience, energy, and a predisposition for seizing opportunities. Balancing professional responsibilities with personal life, Gihan prioritizes her family and maintains a vision board to guide her goals.
As an advocate for other women, she provides spiritual, mental, and financial support based on her experiences. Reflecting on her journey, Gihan emphasizes the importance of investing rather than hesitating to join professional associations like ORRA. For her, being a woman in real estate signifies empowerment.
Oglah Gatamah started her real estate career in 2016 after leaving the corporate world. Her goal was more than selling real estate – she wanted to help people achieve the dream of homeownership. She quickly pivoted to leadership and now leads two brokerage locations.
She draws inspiration from Julia Lashay Israel, the head of inclusion and belonging for Keller Williams International, who has made significant strides in promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in the real estate industry.
Oglah believes that there is no balance between professional and personal life; instead, it requires being intentional with time and prioritizing family. She sees gender diversity as a catalyst for innovation and creativity in the industry and advocates for more diversification of opportunities.
Tiffany Polite, inspired by her grandfather’s career as a real estate agent and the desire for a better work-life balance, took a leap of faith and transitioned from retail to a career in real estate. As a single mother, she found herself working long hours, which left her with little time to spend with her son. This imbalance between her professional and personal life made her reconsider her career path.
This decision was a turning point in her life, marking the beginning of a new chapter in which she could leverage her skills and passion in a field that offered more flexibility and potential for growth. Her advice to aspiring female entrepreneurs is to be bold, fearless, and believe in their own potential. She encourages positive self-affirmation and views challenges as setups for greater achievements.
Maria “Rocki” Sanchez is passionate about making a difference in her community and industry. Her real estate career began when a friend who was also her mentor approached her and asked if she was interested in joining. Rocki initially wasn’t interested because she associated real estate with timeshares. However, she decided to give it a try to pay for college. After her first successful transaction, she realized she could positively impact people’s lives and decided to pursue real estate full-time.
She has taken on various leadership roles, including as the new member lead with YPN, which she sees as an opportunity to continue to grow as a leader. Her advice to women coming into the real estate business or following their entrepreneurship dreams is not to be afraid to lean on others. Her success has largely been due to this approach and trusting others.
Tiphany Weeks’s passion for real estate had always been there, but she wasn’t sure how to get involved. An opportunity presented itself when she moved to Orlando and decided to get her real estate license. Tiphany shared her admiration for her grandmother, who she describes as a soft-spoken, elegant woman.
Despite her grandmother's struggles and hardships, she chose to present herself with grace and elegance, a choice that Tiphany found both eye-opening and inspiring. The advice she would give to other women looking to become entrepreneurs in real estate is to dress themselves for who they want to become, not how they feel.
This is about projecting confidence and positivity. She acknowledges that balancing professional and personal life is an ongoing process with ups and downs. Despite the difficulties, she believes things always work out as they should. Tiphany also notes that amidst the constant changes in the field, tenacity remains a constant, and she admires the women who have chosen tenacity as their guiding principle in their successful careers.
Alena Rivera began her real estate career in 2016, transitioning from a 15-year stint in education to pursuing her passion for helping others in a new field. Encouraged by friends who recognized her genuine desire to assist others, she obtained her real estate license. As a female entrepreneur, Alena emphasizes the importance of maintaining a positive mindset, believing in one's capabilities, and striving to be the best.
She took on a leadership role at ORRA, driven by her servant's heart and desire to advocate for housing rights for all, including real estate professionals, consumers, homeowners, and future homeowners.
Alena strongly advocates for Hispanic home ownership and is dedicated to promoting rights and representation in the real estate industry. She considers herself a cheerleader for other women in her field. She firmly believes that anyone, regardless of background, can succeed with the right mindset. Alena surrounds herself with female leaders and credits her growth to their shared wisdom and advice.
These interviews provide valuable insights and inspiration for women pursuing a real estate career. Success in this field hinges on education and perseverance. Additionally, cultivating a robust support system—personally and professionally—is crucial. Women contribute a unique perspective to the real estate industry, and there's immense power in giving back and empowering others.
We proudly celebrate these women and all the amazing women leading the way in real estate. If you're a woman considering a career in real estate, we encourage you to reach out to a mentor, take the leap, and be fearless.