May Founder’s Message

by Pauline Field

I read in Ms. Magazine last month that financial literacy is not what we need, eradicating poverty is. How can women manage their money if they don’t have enough to pay rent, buy food, and take their child to the doctor or buy the medications they need.
Our demographics show that 40% of our participants make under $10,000 a year. That’s not a typo, a year, not a month. A full 60% earn under $25,000.

Yet the women who attend our workshops want to know how to squeeze every last cent out of that money and what actions they can take to help themselves out of this situation so that they can thrive and prosper.
That’s what our caring and compassionate workshop leaders work on when they lead the Money 101 workshops. While the participants’ situations break their hearts, they also lift them up because these women are there to learn. They are hungry for knowledge, for finding out every little thing they can do, every resource they can use, to make their lives better.

One woman recently said she has a good job now, but that her last few years had been “different” and she doesn’t want to make the same mistakes again. She is eager to learn.

These women are leaders. They are making things happen; right now in their lives and that of their families, and with the knowledge and support we provide, many of them will go on to lead in their jobs, their businesses, and their communities.
On May 21st we have a stellar line up of women who will be bringing valuable information about starting and growing a business. One of our Money 101 participants has already signed up for it. Having been an entrepreneur before, I know the thrill, the challenges, and the rewards of building a business. If you or someone you know owns a business or is thinking of starting one, Register here for the workshop.
And on May 1st, Pam Tarr will be giving us actionable items for each of us to do our part in caring for our planet. Reserve your seat today.