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Women's History Month — Remembering Marianne Zanone Rush
SAMCAR's First Woman President
March is Women's History Month, a time to honor women's resilience, achievements, and contributions throughout history. We take this opportunity to remember SAMCAR's first woman president, Marianne Zanone Rush, and her enduring impact on the association through her leadership, mentorship, dedication and generosity.
Remembering Marianne Zanone Rush (1937 – 2024)
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Marianne Zanone Rush served as the first woman to be President of SAMCAR in 1999 |
Before her career in real estate, Marianne taught elementary school for several years. After retiring from teaching, she pursued her ultimate passion of becoming a real estate agent and broker.
She first joined the San Carlos Redwood City Board of REALTORS® in 1987, which merged with four other local boards to form SAMCAR in 1995.
In 1999, Marianne served as the fifth president of SAMCAR, and as the first woman to be president of the association, paving the way for many female presidents to follow and leading a board of directors that has organically achieved and maintained equal representation of men and women for years since.
She was awarded Honorary Member-for-Life status by the California Association of Realtors in 2012. And, in 2015, SAMCAR awarded Marianne with a Lifetime Achievement Award, a prestigious honor bestowed on a select few Association members for extraordinary distinction, exceptional contribution and outstanding service to the real estate industry.
Marianne was a gifted mentor, leader, and dear friend to many at SAMCAR. She gave generously of her time to leadership roles, her community and colleagues.
Her volunteerism touched many facets of the Realtor organization, including the South Tour Committee and Foundation Council in addition to her service as a SAMCAR and C.A.R. director.
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Marianne Zanone Rush receiving the SAMCAR Lifetime Achievement Award in 2016. |
Marianne also managed several real estate offices and taught several real estate classes at College of San Mateo.
She had semi-retired at the age of 81 but was planning on attending her final C.A.R. convention last fall. At the time of her passing, she was serving a term as SAMCAR Director, and continued to dedicate herself to the Association and her colleagues. In fact, many past and current SAMCAR Directors acknowledge Marianne for her "tap on the shoulder" encouraging them to seek leadership positions in the Association. Both as a former manager and colleague, Marianne offered mentorship and guidance to many Realtors in San Mateo County.
Marianne passed away on September 27, 2024. She is deeply missed by all of us at SAMCAR, but her enduring influence on the association continues to be felt.
Remembering Marianne Zanone Rush in Photos »
The Obituary for Marianne Zanone Rush »
About Women's History Month
Beginning as Women's History Week in 1978, led by the Education Task Force of the Sonoma County Commission on the Status of Women, the movement gained national recognition in 1980 when President Jimmy Carter proclaimed March 2-8 as National Women's History Week, acknowledging that "too often, the women were unsung, and sometimes their contributions went unnoticed. But the achievements, leadership, courage, strength, and love of the women who built America were as vital as those of the men whose names we know so well." By 1987, Congress expanded it to a full month, ensuring an annual celebration of women's vital role in shaping history.
Do you have a story to share?
At SAMCAR, we love to celebrate the notable accomplishments and community involvement of our members. Please feel free to share your stories with SAMCAR Director of Brand & Communications, Dalen Gilbrech.
