KATHY STEWART,
OCSEA Secretary Treasurer

Womens' Action Committee Conference
Hueston Woods State Park
May 19, 2007

Good morning, sisters and brothers.  Welcome to the 2007 Women’s Action Committee Conference.

The theme of this year’s conference is Smart Women Finish Rich.  Every workshop and every speaker here today will give you knowledge and tips on how to manage YOUR money.

Money – what a scary word.

Women weren’t raised, for the most part, to be independent or wealthy.  We were taught about how to handle a household, how to treat our spouse, how to cook, clean and how to raise our children.  We did not receive an education on how to handle money.

How many times have you heard your parents tell you the following:

1. It’s just as easy to marry rich as it is to marry poor.
2. Men know more about money than you do.
3. It’s better to do good than be rich.
4. College is just an expensive way to find a husband.
5. Girls just aren’t good at math (show me just one medical evidence of a “money gene.”)

1. You will make a man feel insecure if you make more money than he does.
2. Money doesn’t buy you happiness.
3.  

Money can’t buy you happiness – of course, neither does poverty!

Did you know that women are nearly twice as likely as men to retire in poverty? 

Times have changed!

It is time to evaluate what we learned about women and money, discard what does not apply today, and develop new skills to achieve financial success in the 21st Century.

Some women have responded to these changing times by taking control of their lives, developing new skills, and accepting new roles.  Women have proven we can manage our finances.  Women have proven we can manage the finances for businesses and yes, even Unions.  And all we do it very well.

For a woman, the family is more important than money.  They do for others what they cannot do for themselves.

A woman is a wife, a daughter, a mom, a union leader, an employee, a best friend, a volunteer, an aunt, a niece, and a sister, all in one.  Women can do it all with grace, humility, love, and compassion.

You, after all, are a doer!  You have to be all things to all people – the pillar of strength – the mother, wife, dutiful daughter, supportive friend, school volunteer, cheerleader at home and at work, union steward or leader.

Anyone who is a supportive and caring wife, partner, mother, sister, daughter, best friend, caretaker, aunt, grandmother, or coworker has all the skills necessary to forge a solid relationship with your money and to make the kind of smart money choices that support you rather than sabotage you.  That’s what controlling your financial destiny comes down to:  knowing what to do and what not to do – and having the conviction and confidence to go out and do it.

Gender is not a factor on any level in mastering the nuts and bolts of smart financial management.  Women can invest, save, and handle debt just as well and skillfully as any man.

For all the advancements women have made in the last thirty, forty years – and without a doubt they are remarkable accomplishments – you would be stunned to know how little we have changed in the way women deal with money.  There are huge disconnects between  what we know and how we act; between what we think  and what we say; between our ability as achievers and  our financial underachieving; between how we  present  ourselves to the world and how we really feel about  ourselves inside; between  what we deserve in our lives  and what we resign ourselves to accept; between the  power  we have within reach and the powerlessness that  rules our actions.

You can keep the sugar and spice – but everything nice is hard to turn down.  In the real world though, nice things cost money and the only person footing the bill is YOU.  So control what you spend now and save  yourself a lifetime of playing catch-up.

Don’t plan on living your life always borrowing at a zero interest – namely from the Bank of Mom and Dad.  To remain the boss of your finances, you must remain the boss of your life.

Although budgeting seems like a lot of hard work, the rewards you will reap are priceless.  When you feel in control of your finances, you also feel on top of other areas of your life, including your work and relationships.  Fighting over money is a million times worse than just having trouble with it.  Being solvent and having some money to fall back on is also empowering.  It means you are 100 percent independent and a woman who can afford to make her own decisions… because owing no one means answering to no one.

Your inner nurturer reigns supreme; you do for everyone before you do for yourself.  By taking care of yourself financially, you will truly be able to take care of those you love.

Your kids need mothering, your partner needs loving, your parents need help, your career needs your energy, and your friends need your ear.  Throw into that mix the dry cleaning that needs to be picked up, the  groceries that need to be bought, the meals that need to  be prepared, and the home that needs to be cleaned,  and its no surprise that anything to do with money  takes a backseat.

The shifting roles of women at home and at work have dramatically changed where and how money interacts with a woman’s life.  Remember this – anything is possible in life when we choose to own the power to  control our destinies.

It’s only since the world has become commercial that we assume we must spend money to have fun.  But  walks in the country, reading, cooking, writing, or  watching a movie at home are all great activities that cost next to nothing.

Happiness is about all the things money can’t buy –  health, love, respect – right?  Absolutely true – all of  these are essential to a happy life.  All are determined by who you are and NOT what you have.

However, if you or your loved ones become suddenly ill, wouldn’t you want the best care that money can buy?   Isn’t it money that puts a roof over your head, and money that allows you to move to a neighborhood with  a great public school system, and money that allows  you to retire early, or quit your job while you go back to  school to pursue a new career?  Therefore, money is a factor in determining our happiness.  It is a lie not to acknowledge the power money has to make our lives better and happier.

Money it’s not a subject for polite company?  Is that what you’ve been raised to believe?  Well, I’m here to tell you that this isn’t just a problem of semantics – I believe that this “conspiracy of silence” is another reason why so many women are in the dark about financial matters.  We don’t talk about money with our friends, our parents, our children – and that’s where we get in trouble.  How are we suppose to teach our children, how are we suppose to educate ourselves, if there isn’t a free and frank flow of information about money?

Anyone who has experienced the loss of a partner or loved one knows it can be one of the most painful experiences a person will ever encounter in life.  But no matter how sympathetic your creditors are, they will still want your payments on time.  Waiting until the time comes when you are forced to learn about how to handle your finances is not only a mistake, it’s a tragedy!

Who you are is where it all begins.  If you want to own the power to control your destiny, there is no other starting place than now. We still live in a time that presents us with obstacles to overcome simply because of our gender.  But these are not insurmountable   obstacles. You can take on these obstacles with the courage and determination that all women have within them.

The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don’t have any.  Actually knowledge =  power = control.  Who you are will always be the foundation of what you have in this life.  Who you are is  where it all begins.  If you want to own the power to control your destiny, then you are on the right path.  You made a decision to come here to this conference to learn how women can be empowered to shape their future.

Being financially illiterate is a choice, just as the decision to get rich is a choice.  Becoming financially literate requires discipline.  You may not do it because you want to – there are many things more fun that you could think of – you do it because the thought of being financially independent far outweighs the thought of living a life controlled by others.

Remember to keep your eye on the goal, on what you really want to accomplish, no matter what anyone says or does to deter you.  Just keep moving ahead.

Remember to stay involved with your money, to nurture a healthy relationship with it – for what happens to your money affects the quality of life and the lives of all those you love.

Remember always to do what is right rather than what is easy, and never to put yourself on sale, because sisters,  you deserve better than that!

I am delighted you are here today.  I believe that a women’s place is in her Union!  I am proud to be a member of OCSEA and to have an opportunity to fight for women’s rights.  OCSEA and the Women’s Committee encourage women to be active in the Union and to fight for issues that are important to women.

We are fighting for equal pay, child and elder care, employment security, safe workplaces, affordable healthcare, contraceptive equity, and protection from sexual harassment and violence at work, and protection from domestic violence.

Let’s join together and fight for women’s rights!

Let’s join together and fight for men’s rights!

Let’s join together and fight for the rights of all working families in America!

Thank you.