International Women’s Day is Thursday, March 8th. Women are gathering worldwide for conferences, awards, exhibitions, festivals, fun runs, concerts, speaking events, and so much more. This is an important day to be with other inspiring women, so look for an event in your community!

First celebrated in 1909 as a labor protest in New York against the poor working conditions, the movement quickly spread across the world. This is a day we recognize women for their achievements throughout history and across nations. It’s known as the United Nations (UN) Day for Women’s Rights and International Peace.

2018 has already been an extraordinary year for women’s empowerment. With the #METOO movement in full force, women are speaking up and standing up around the world.  This is a time to reflect on the progress we have made, to call for change, to recognize acts of courage, and to unlock our financial power.

According to NBC News[1], more than 500 women are running for a major office this year. No matter which party ultimately triumphs in the November midterm elections, here is one thing we know for sure about 2018:  It WILL be the Year of the Woman!

I strongly believe that financial empowerment is every woman’s birthright. I’ve experienced extreme poverty and abuse as well as great wealth and freedom. My mission for the last 30 years has been to help women create wealth, make a difference, and live a life they love.  I know it’s possible when you have a guide and the right resources.

I created Smart Women’s Empowerment in 2003 after an experience I had when I was about to teach a workshop called Smart Women Finish Rich for the Federal Reserve’s Money Smart Week. At the time, I was running a very successful financial planning business focused on wealthy clients. I still remember walking up on that stage and looking out at my audience of over 150 women who were known as the “unbanked,” those who don’t have a bank account.  I wondered how in the world I was going to reach these women!

What I did that moment changed my life forever. I shared my personal story. It was a story I had never told because  I was embarrassed of it. I thought I’d be judged if people really knew my background. But telling my story was freeing. These women saw that I was once where they were. I told them, “Now if I can do it, you can do it, and today, I’m going to show you how.  Please open your workbooks and let’s get started!”

At the end of the seminar, I collected the comment cards and dozens of women wanted to meet with me, but I had no way to help them. That was the moment I decided to create a program where I could help all women who wanted my help. That was the seed for Smart Women’s Empowerment. I retired from my financial planning business in 2007 and began Smart Women’s Empowerment in 2008.

I’m thrilled that you are part of our Smart Women Community where we are working to empower women globally to stand in their financial power through our free resources and growing community of women around the globe. We welcome you!

Please register for our free course, Unlock Your Financial Power, listen to our radio shows, read our expert articles, and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.  And please reach out to others and invite them to join us too!

[1] https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/first-read/huge-2018-story-more-500-women-are-running-major-office-n841916

 

Katana Abbott, CFP® practitioner, is a Wealth Coach™, host of the Smart Women Talk Radio™, founder of the Smart Women Companies with over 1 million subscribers globally, inspirational speaker and author of several books.

She began her financial planning career in 1987 and became a Certified Financial Planner™ practitioner. In 2003, Katana created Smart Women’s Coaching® to offer financial coaching and educational workshops for women in transition who are dealing with caregiving, death of a loved one, divorce, retirement or looking to create or grow a business.  She founded Smart Women’s Empowerment in 2008 to bring free financial empowerment resources and programs to women around the world through her team of Contributing Experts. www.katanaabbott.com