My sisters graduated from high school in 1974 and 1972. The Fair Credit Act was just being talked about and implemented. This gave women the right to equal status in banking, credit and therefore, home ownership among other important financial life building.
Their children are now in their thirties so that was only a generation away. Given how long new legislation weaves itself into the our society, fifty years is not that long. So many women are still challenged in this area. Whether they were raised in families where men did the money or were not encouraged to be independent, past history can impact life though it is not too late to change. Ever.
The best way for women to claim what you have as talents and treasure is to not undermine your skills or misuse or misrepresent your treasure. Empower ourselves to learn more and be more of who we are. Our men too can do this for themselves and for the women they love.
My parents were of a different generation and led the way in our home. My Dad was raised with six sisters by a strong Mom who held their poor farming family together. He learned more about women in that family to set the basis for his life time – and prepared him to have three daughters.
My parents always wanted us to act like “Ladies and Gentleman.” Though my parents sentiments were set on their 1950s coming of age, my Dad saw no reason that his daughters were not equal. He expected them to have equal rights when it came to home ownership, banking and salary, which is how he treated my Mom. I can still recall his shock when he learned from me in the late 90s that there was a gender pay gap. My Dad has been dead almost fifteen years. Women are still receiving 70% to each of men’s dollar earnings. Gender Pay Gap Widens as Women Age (census.gov)
In 1972, Title Nine was a game changer for young women in school sports (pun intended.) The Fair Credit Act was a major shift for the life of all women in 1974. The impact was felt across business, banking the United States but that does not mean everything has changed. My Sister, Title IX and Me (Next Avenue)
Rights of women still vary across our world. Driving, voting and face coverings are political points in some countries. Today’s women in power create press attention. I welcome the day in society when media stories do not mention inequality or the “the first women….”
On a recent 60 Minutes episode, I learned about SOLA. This is a school for Afghan girls in Rwanda. With the Taliban again in power in Afghanistan, the country becomes the only one in the world that does not allow women to be educated. Watch 60 Minutes: Kherson Under Fire, The Girls of SOLA
We are not out of the woods yet. Let’s not have the power in legislation we gained in the US in the Seventies stop there. Let’s use our voices and financial power to help the causes that resonate with us. We as women and all our supporters- fathers, husbands, partners, friends and brothers – have got us to this point.
Let’s take care of ourselves and others to grow our talents and treasure for all good – whether giving to charity, helping a woman up or creating a strong independent life. This is all financial and personal. Celebrate and act with the thought of International Women’s Day in your life every day.
If you want to read more on this legislation and the financial progress of women during this March which is women’s history month. Check out this article