Judy Moore, AHWD, C2EX, CBR, CRS, GRI, SRES, RPAC Platinum R
One of the moments Judy Moore remembers most vividly from her four decades in real estate has nothing to do with buying or selling homes.
In the weeks following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, Moore was asked to deliver financial assistance checks on behalf of the National Association of REALTORS® to families who had lost loved ones. One recipient was a young woman whose husband had been killed. Another family had lost a loved one who was also the primary breadwinner.
“It was too much for one person to handle,” Moore recalls. “We had to go in pairs.”
The act of supporting 9/11 families led to the creation of the REALTORS® Relief Foundation, and it left a lasting impression on Moore.
“I was so proud to be a REALTOR® at that moment,” she says. “I will never forget it.”
That commitment to service—to clients, colleagues, communities and the profession itself—has defined Moore’s career ever since. At the National Association of REALTORS®’ June 18 Board of Directors meeting, Moore was recognized with NAR’s Distinguished Service Award, alongside Robert J. Bailey of Aptos, Calif.
The DSA is the highest honor NAR bestows on a member, apart from the presidency. It recognizes an unwavering commitment to the organization and the real estate industry.
The journey that eventually led Moore to the award began far from committee meetings and Hill visits. Before earning her license, she worked in human resources and training, performed in musical theater productions, sang with a band and even spent time emceeing beauty pageants. When she returned to Massachusetts 40 years ago, she thought real estate might offer more control over her schedule.
“It turned out to be the best decision I ever made,” she says.
What transformed the job into a lifelong passion wasn’t just selling homes. It was getting involved.
The Power of Saying ‘Yes’
Like many agents, Moore’s volunteer journey began with a simple invitation to serve on a committee. That first “yes” led to leadership roles with Women’s Council of REALTORS®, local and state associations and eventually the National Association of REALTORS®.
“If I hadn’t gotten involved in the REALTOR® organization, I would probably be doing something else,” Moore says. She credits Women’s Council of REALTORS® with helping her find her voice as a leader. What began as local involvement eventually led to state and regional leadership positions, giving her opportunities to develop skills in public speaking, advocacy and mentoring.
Over the years, Moore’s volunteer service expanded far beyond a single committee or leadership role. She served as president of the Massachusetts Association of REALTORS® in 2004, regional vice president for NAR in 2008 and later as a member of NAR’s Executive Committee. She has represented Massachusetts and large local associations on NAR’s Board of Directors for more than two decades and has become one of the organization’s most dedicated advocates for RPAC and political engagement. In 2010, she was inducted into the REALTORS® Political Action Committee Hall of Fame.
She left her mark across countless committees, work groups and leadership initiatives, particularly those focused on fundraising, advocacy and REALTOR® Party involvement. She chaired the RPAC Major Investor Council, led the RPAC Fundraising Forum and served on both fundraising and federal disbursement committees. In 2022, Moore was the REALTOR® Party Member Involvement liaison. Today, she continues her leadership as a member of NAR’s Board of Directors and the RPAC Trustees Fundraising Committee.
Moore also spent years building relationships with elected officials as a federal political coordinator, first for former Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) and then for Rep. Katherine Clark (D-Mass.). Those experiences reinforced her belief that NAR members have a responsibility to engage in the public policy issues that shape homeownership and housing opportunities.
“If real estate is your profession, then politics is your business,” she says, a line she always credits to NAR Past President Harley E. Rouda.
Making Time for What Matters
Today, Moore continues to work full time as an agent, balancing her business with volunteer leadership and advocacy efforts focused on housing affordability and homeownership opportunities.
But ask what she’s most proud of, and the conversation quickly turns to family.
“My proudest achievement is my daughter,” she says.
Moore lights up when talking about her daughter, Tiffany, and granddaughters, Gracie and Sophie. The same pride she feels for her family is evident in the way she talks about mentoring younger agents and helping future leaders find their place in the industry.
Over four decades in real estate, she has served at nearly every level of the REALTOR® organization—from local and state leadership positions to NAR’s Executive Committee, Board of Directors, RPAC leadership teams and REALTOR® Party initiatives. Yet she talks less about the positions she held and more about the people she worked with along the way.
Looking back, Moore sees a career built not on titles or accolades but on service, relationships and a willingness to keep saying yes when opportunities arose.
“Real estate keeps you young,” she says. “You’re always meeting new people. You’re always learning.”
And while the Distinguished Service Award recognizes a remarkable career, Moore seems far more interested in what comes next: continuing to serve, continuing to advocate and continuing to give back to the profession that she loves.
