‘All About Empowerment’ as Women’s Money Matters Works to Boost Financial Literacy

Events on March 7 and March 27 offer opportunities to learn and network

About 13% of Massachusetts women live in poverty, and that number rises to 33% for single-mother households in the state. For Women’s Money Matters, part of the answer is improving the financial literacy of women and girls. In fact, a core value of WMM is empowerment — equipping and inspiring low-income women to achieve their life goals by fostering bravery, accountability, continuous improvement and determination.

WMM’s financial wellness programs saw a 96% graduation rate in 2023. One example of an upcoming program is “Dealing with Finances and Legalities of Divorce,” which is led by an attorney and a certified financial planner and offers information on coping financially after a marriage ends.

The group serves women age 14 and up, including those in shelters and transitional housing, with a focus on the Merrimack Valley. It partners with more than 60 social services agencies, including Alternative House and House of Hope. The path to increased financial literacy includes 90-minute workshops on financial topics like managing credit, identifying fraud, negotiating pay and creating a savings and spending plan. Workshops are taught by both male and female volunteers — often, but not always, people with banking or financial backgrounds — and are presented both in person and via Zoom.

A key to success is one-on-one guidance: Every WMM participant is matched with a coach, who needn’t be a financial processional. Teams attend workshops together, and coaches provide ongoing, individualized support to address money-management goals and challenges.

Learn more about the group in our profile, or you can check out the website here.

WMM has two special events in honor of Women’s History Month that are great learning opportunities for anyone who may be interested in getting involved.

First, on Thursday, March 7, there is a virtual volunteer mixer that will explain how to become a coach. That begins at 6:30, and you can register here.

Then on March 27 at 6:30 p.m., WMM celebrates Women’s History Month with a Money and Mingle event, where panelists Ogor Chukudebelu, Senior Vice President, Head of Customer Inclusion at Fidelity Investments, and Jacqueline Chacon, Event Sponsorship Manager at State Street Corporation, share their unique journeys into finance through diverse paths. Attendees can gain valuable insights, network with like-minded individuals and be part of a community that empowers women in finance. Register here.