Women and Finance
Women make up approximately half of the workforce. Women-owned businesses are growing faster than their male counterparts. However, females still lack financial literacy. Within recent years there has been a public emphasis on making women financially savvy.
Girl Power!
The Virginia Slims cigarette ads from the late 1960s through the early 1970s used the slogan, "You've come a long way, baby." This ad campaign with a feminist tone would sometimes incorporate vintage Victorian era or women's suffragist political images and writings. https://vintage-ads.livejournal.com/3933083.html
While I don't condone the use of 'wicked ciggies,' I gotta admit, this clever ad campaign was interesting and drove home the point of female liberation. Since 1987, March has been designated as Women's History Month in the United States and March 8th is always International Women's Day. Both of these celebrate the social, cultural, economic, and political achievements of women.
Women make up approximately half of the workforce. According to a recent Wells Fargo report, women-owned businesses are growing faster than their male counterparts. They are also employing faster than male-owned businesses. Despite this achievement, there is still a strong need for financial literacy among the masses. In addition, with all of the uncertainty and terminations of government workers and contractors brought about by the new Trump Administration, many have income uncertainty.
In a March 18, 2025 article by Shelly Gigante titled 7 steps to women's financial empowerment, she references studies about the differences between men and women with regard to investing:
On average women are less confident than men at handling investments, yet research suggests that they should trust their instincts. Studies show that women are better savers, they maintain more diversified portfolios (which helps them weather market volatility), and they’re less likely to make costly knee-jerk reactions in response to market downturns than men, which often results in higher returns. (Fidelity Investments, “2021 Women and Investing Study.”)
https://blog.massmutual.com/planning/women-empowerment-massmutual
Grants and women-focused resources
There are federal, state, and local grants that are specifically designed to aide women and women-owned businesses. I recommend that you attend one of Linda Peavy's (LiPav Consulting, LLC) free webinars where she provides the names of companies and sources for grants specifically for women. www.lipav.com
Seek out state and local organizations that have programs and resources for women. A fine example of this is New Jersey's WCEC – Women's Center for Entrepreneurship. Their Resources page lists various loans, grants, certification information and more: https://www.wcecnj.org/resources/
Empower yourself by reading
Take the time to read books and periodicals that are specifically written to educate women on various aspects of personal finance such as budgeting, saving, eliminating debt, and investing. I personally recommend the following 21st century personal finance books by female authors (including my own award-winning book):
Suze Orman
The Money Book for the Young, Fabulous & Broke (2005)
Harrine Freeman
How to Get Out of Debt – Get an “A” Credit Rating for FREE Using the System I’ve Used Successfully With Thousands of Clients (2006)
Manisha Thakor
Sharon Kedar
On My Own Two Feet: A Modern Girl's Guide to Personal Finance (2007)
Paula Goddard
Money Minute: Financial Food for Thought - Volume 1 (2015)
JB Bryan
AfroEconomics™: Our Black Wealth Matters (2016)
(I recommend the Legacy Edition because it includes West African Adinkra symbols that illustrate the ten core principles of AfroEconomics™.)
Bola Sokunbi
Clever Girl Finance, Expanded & Updated: Ditch Debt, Save Money and Build Real Wealth 2nd Edition (2024)
Websites: Financial Education and Resources
Clever Girl Finance: https://www.clevergirlfinance.com
Hands on Banking: https://www.handsonbanking.org
The bottom line is that no matter which presidential administration is in power, no matter whether this economy is good or bad, and no matter how you may feel about your chances for entrepreneurial success or merely paying your regular monthly bills, there IS money available and everyday women ARE forging pathways for success and contributing to the American economy in a major way. So go ahead, write that grant proposal, start that business, make that investment and remember the lyrical lessons brought to us by The Eurythmics and Aretha Franklin:
"Sisters Are Doin' It For Themselves"
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(Paula Goddard is a contributing writer for Atlantic City Focus. She is an award-winning writer, personal finance advisor, community organizer, and educator. She can be reached via social media @paulasuniverse - via email at pgMoneyMinute@gmail.com & via telephone at (202) 681-8767.)
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