Who was the first woman Realtor broker to open her own real estate business in Battle Creek?
Avis E. Phillips. Avis Phillips moved to Battle Creek in 1935 from Fenwick. Her husband, Hildreth “Hick” Phillips, was a well-known local insurance salesman. She taught for years at the one-room Elwood School in Newton Township. The couple had five children (Bernie, Blain, Julaine, Brent and Bruce). Bruce Phillips said his mother was looking for a career that would let her be home when the children returned from school in the afternoons. In 1955, she established Avis E. Phillips Real Estate Co. and enjoyed the freedom and flexibility but at a price. Bruce Phillips: “As a kid, I used to say to my mom: ‘I’ll never work in real estate’ when she suddenly left the family dinner table to show a house.” At first, Bruce stayed away from the real estate business. He went to Battle Creek Central High School and Kellogg Community College. From 1968 to 1974, he worked for North Central Airlines in Battle Creek, Minneapolis, Detroit and Kalamazoo. Phillips joined his mother’s real estate business i
