Listening & Learning About Women’s Equality in August
August is always a special month for me. It’s The Pledgettes anniversary (this year we turned 4!!). And we were intentional on our launch date, August 26, 2019. It’s also Women’s Equality Day.
It’s a day to celebrate the progress we have made and commit to action to advance gender equality. I had a great day and spent the month learning. Here are a few of my key takeaways.
Historical Knowledge is Powerful
I spent August 26th with a Pledgettes booth outside the Center for Colorado Women's History. It was a free day at the museum and I was able to take a tour and learn about some incredibly bold women...and their money. I'd love to do a group tour with The Pledgettes at the museum one day. I also met at woman that represented the Colorado Delegation for the 75th Anniversary of the March on Washington DC 28 years ago. She was in the choir and sang the Suffragettes songs. It was inspiring to learn about the trailblazers ahead of us.
In my research of the Women’s Movement, particularly the Suffragettes movement, I have learned how America romanticizes it’s history. I feel like the stories I had heard of the Suffragettes were about women’s club meetings, beautiful women in white dresses, sashes and signs articulating the logical reasons that women should have the right to vote. Like the men in power would hear the logic and politely give women the right to vote. It was violent and aggressive. And in the history of the US, that is how change is truly made.
The Power of Non-Profits Programs
I was invited to attend the YWCA Boulder Annual Luncheon was special to see how non-profits like YWCA are advocating for gender equality with their mission of "eliminating racism, empowering women." The money they raise and the programs the run are powerful. And it was fun to watch (and participate in) the paddle raiser portion.
It was lovely to see them acknowledge the work that some individuals were doing and to show the reach of their programs.
During our Women’s Equality Day Celebration, Undestructable had a booth and shared the work they are doing for people who have experienced intimate partner violence. I first met Cora Lee Poole, Undestructable Founder, three years ago. We quickly jumped into conversation on how financial abuse is a big challenge in abusive relationships. Even last night, at a small happy hour, a woman shared that she found out her almost fiancé was having an affair and using drugs. She told him to move out and he did. As well as move out all the money from bank and investment accounts since he had access to her passwords. Money is power and abusers know this.
Women’s Clubs Amplify Power
This year we collaborated with these women communities for our Women’s Equality Day event. It was powerful to be in a room of women talking money, equality, and belonging. These women are incredible and capable of doing big things! Each community has their own unique strategies and benefits for how the work to advance women. Check them out!
CampExperience Network empowers women to Do Good & Have Fun. Join our community and expand your personal and professional network through a series of meaningful community events.
Women in Sustainability (WIS) is an inclusive social and environmental justice nonprofit dedicated to caring for the people that CARE for the planet through Community, Advocacy, Resources and Education to create a sustainable and equitable future through the feminist viewpoint and leadership. WIS strives to create a safe space for like-minded, diverse individuals to create purposeful connections and conversations. All are welcome in our community.
The Giving Forward Project is in community, for community. These women create a significant impact in Colorado communities through collaboration with The Denver Foundation and local organizations. Together, we are stronger and have the ability to gift grants that create a meaningful impact to our community.
At She Goes High you can ditch the elevator pitch- we're an introvert-friendly group of professional women in Northern Colorado who come together to grow personally and professionally through community, education, and fun. We want to know who you are, not just what you do, and we KNOW each and every woman is inherently valuable and worthy including and beyond qualifications, degrees, etc. We KNOW every woman is making a difference in her way!
Undestructable provides job skills training and employment opportunities for survivors of intimate partner abuse to create sustainable futures for themselves and the planet.
She's Independent Investments is a Women-first Investment Group designed to get more women on the cap table, in the boardroom, and in positions of power.
At Six Degrees Society, we are authentically ourselves. We’re a group of strong, independent, and fierce women who are reinventing what it means to network. A lot of the time, we all wonder “what’s the point of networking?” It’s often only associated with work and doesn’t focus on the building of relationships and real connections. More importantly, how often does it revolve around women?
Normalize Money Talks
This run of learning and listening wrapped with a beautiful celebration. A sunset dinner with Smedley Events at her family's farm. I led a facilitated discussion on belonging and equality while eating a delicious meal at sunset.
Between all these events, I was able to have small group discussions and 1:1 conversations that included healthy, wealthy talks. I learned about people’s experiences, fears, and wins! I heard about ambitious and optimistic goals for the future.
Stay tuned for some big announcements we have coming up on the launch of our first product to normalize money talks!
Entertainment is a Powerful Way to Share the Women’s Experience
This month I saw the Jagged Little Pill broadway show and the Barbie movie. Two creations that shared the complexity of the women experience. Both ending with more acknowledgement and awareness than solution.
So now what?
Will there be a day where our work towards advancing gender equality stops? I’m not sure.
But we have the responsibility to keep moving forward. It seems if don’t keep pushing forward, we get pushed backwards.
I believe the “Wealth for Women” is the answer to many complex issues happening today. It’s why we talk about values and goals alignment is almost every money talk within The Pledgettes.
We are all complex people with different priorities. We identify different issues/challenges and see unique solutions.
The Pledgettes is not a place to tell you the top priorities or what you “should” do. It’s a place to explore unique perspectives ideas and strategies for how to evolve your relationship with money and build wealth.
If you want to use your time, money, and energy in activism, strategic giving, impact investing, conscious spending, building generational wealth, or more, this is a place to gain financial clarity and confidence to have an intentional financial journey. And I’m grateful that you are choosing for The Pledgettes to play a role in that.
Four years ago, I never would have imagined a month like this would exist. Where I would learn from, see, and participate in the several ways incredible communities, non-profits, and museums are advancing gender equality.
And most importantly celebrating the ways you are building wealth. Each money move you make has a ripple effect on building healthy, wealthy communities. As aware as I am of the challenges and the hurdles, you all make me optimistic for the future.
Wishing you a healthy, wealthy life!
Jenn
