I have always felt that land was so precious, Emily Moreland told us. “I learned that form my father.”

Her childhood was filled with outdoor travel and study and laughter—and tragedy. Emily’s younger sister was killed in a car accident while she was young. This shook the whole family, but allowed Emily to once again see her mother’s great strength and love — in Emily’s words “my mother was an angel sent from heaven.”

Emily eventually married her childhood sweetheart, Bill, and together they had 3 children. It was a busy but happy time with Emily also working as a realtor. Always creative and ambitious, it occurred to her that she should start her own realty company.

Moreland Properties began in 1986, and one year later tragedy struck again. While on a family vacation, Bill began to feel bad. It was the middle of the night when Emily got him to the hospital. But Bill only lasted a few hours.

Emily had to go back to the hotel and break the news to her sleeping children. “It was one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do,” she said.

Emily was now a single mother and was more determined than ever to make her real estate business a success.  And she certainly did!

Moreland Properties is now one of the top realty companies in town, admired for its commitment to Central Texas rather than expanding nationally.  Emily has used her good fortune to give back to the city she loves. She was instrumental in the creation of the Long Center for the Performing Art – a spectacular addition to Austin. Emily is also active with the Red Cross of Central Texas and various affordable housing initiatives.  She makes sure that her own employees are involved in service too.

Emily added that Family Eldercare is vital part of our community. “We all need a strong support system around us as we get older,” she said. “If my circumstances were a little different, I would need Family Eldercare. It is reassuring to know that they are there for so many who have nowhere else to turn.”

Thank you Emily, for all you’ve given to Austin.