Throughout history, the path to true gender equality has been paved not just with voting rights and workplace access, but with something far more fundamental—control over our own money.
Until the 1970s, many American women couldn't open a bank account or get a credit card without a male cosigner. This wasn't a quirk of social custom but a deliberate system designed to keep women financially dependent and, by extension, limited in their choices.
While we've made tremendous strides legally, the cultural legacy of financial exclusion persists in subtler ways:
Women are still less likely to negotiate salaries than their male counterparts
We're taught to be "good" with money (read: frugal) rather than powerful with money (strategic and growth-oriented)
Financial conversations remain taboo in many female friendships, preventing us from learning from each other
Standing on the Shoulders of Giants
We owe much to pioneers like Muriel Siebert, the first woman to own a seat on the New York Stock Exchange. When she purchased her seat in 1967 after being rejected by nine of the first ten men she asked to sponsor her application, she didn't just break into a boys' club—she fundamentally challenged the notion that women weren't suited for financial leadership.
Siebert later founded her own brokerage firm and became the first woman to head a NYSE member firm. Her famous quote remains relevant today:
"American women never have had the opportunity to show what they can do in the financial community."
Except now, we do.
From Financial Literacy to Financial Power
Financial literacy is just the beginning. While understanding budgeting and investing fundamentals is crucial, true financial empowerment comes from:
Recognizing money as a tool for agency, not just security
Setting ambitious financial goals that support your vision for your life
Building wealth strategically, not just saving cautiously
Making your money reflect your values through intentional spending and investing
Financial independence isn't just about having money—it's about having choices. When we control our financial narratives, we control our futures in ways our grandmothers could only dream of.
This month, I challenge you to have one conversation about money that you've been avoiding. Whether it's negotiating a raise, discussing finances with a partner, or simply asking a financially savvy friend how she manages her investments, breaking the silence is the first step toward breaking old patterns.
Here's to writing a new financial history—one woman at a time.
Comments