Since we founded the Women's Financial Learning Centre four years ago, Karin and I find oursevles asking the same question over and over again -

 
We've heard all the usual reasons - lack of time, lack of interest, lack of money, fear, guilt, prince charming syndrome but it really gave us pause to think when a recent workshop participant said that she avoided dealing with money because she didn't like the context that money plays itself out in.  She didn't want to engage in a world of corruption, greed, materialism, so she simply withdrew and ignored thinking about, talking about and dealing with her finances.  Needless to say the "dig your head in the sand" approach didn't work very well for her and she ended up in financial trouble.
 
But she did say something very important that we know many women are feeling - a sense that something is wrong in the financial and economic world, but feeling powerless to do anything about it. 
 
After all - where would we even start?  Everyday there's yet another story of how companies or advisors have abused our trust, how governments are bailing out irresponsible corporate behavior, how we're sacrificing our environment for the sake of economic growth and development, how children live in poverty around the world while others spend millions on rocket ship rides to outer space for fun. 
 
Clearly there is something wrong with the way that we distribute and allocate economic resources in our world - so no wonder we aren't keen to get involved and perpetuate the problem.  Not to mention how busy we all are. 

How can we take on one more thing?
The short answer - we need to.  We need to for our sake, for our family's sake and for the sake of our communities.  Many world leaders and thinkers including the Dalai Lama and Stephen Lewis are saying that it's up to women to change the world. No pressure though!

It's up to Women to Change the World
And we can - one woman at a time, taking one small step at a time.  By 2019, women will control over 70% of the wealth in North America and in a world where money talks, we'll be able to speak loudly!
 
All it will take is for each of us to become a little more conscious, educated and engaged in how we make, manage and invest our money to make a significant difference in how money is handled in our world. 
 
The first step is to understand the world of money as it exists now and then to make choices that will help perpetuate change  - one smart choice at a time. 
 
Let's start talking about money and the changes we'd like to see.  Join us on Thursday November 19th for an evening of discussion and idea sharing on the topic Socially Responsible Money - How to Make, Manage and Invest Your Money to Create a Better World


How about our troubled workshop participant?  She now has her finances in order, a career path that is consistent with her values, and a desire to earn lots of money - on her own terms.