After Mother’s Day celebrations came and went over the weekend, I'm thinking a lot about mothers in the workforce. I reflect often on the benefits of financial independence for women, especially working women and moms. Financial independence allowed me to quit my job, but that is NOT what I want for every woman.
I felt forced out of my career because of a very common theme in American corporate culture. The narrative of work-life balance was mere lip service, overshadowed by the relentless pressure to perform at any cost. There was no support for parents, and no acknowledgement that I had a school schedule to follow or other priorities to juggle. When I eventually made the difficult choice to step away, I mourned for the potential I had that was left to collect dust in my home office.
Susan and I founded Rising Femme Wealth because we want all women to reach for financial independence, so they can better advocate for themselves, their families, and for other women. We don't believe this achievement should be the first step in inviting all women to leave the workforce. Instead, we believe that:
Women should pursue the careers they love. Having financial independence doesn't mean that a woman who loves her work should stop doing it. She should be supported in using and growing her strengths in her career, while also feeding her creativity, practicing regular wellness routines, and spending ample time with the people she loves.
We NEED women in the workforce. This is not just a matter of a strong economy; it's a matter of a balanced and healthy culture. People making up the workforce have a lot of power to define workplace culture and policy. We have a dream of women in the workplace listening to the biggest needs of its workforce and defining a culture that caters to those needs.
73% of mothers with children under 18 are in the workforce.
I'll get specific for a moment. The large majority of mothers of newborn to school-aged children are working moms. What do these mothers need? If you are or have been one of these women, then you already know. Mothers need to be supported in their careers when they are pregnant, postpartum, raising a newborn, trying to breastfeed, sleep-deprived, deciding on their child's best schooling option, getting their kids to the bus, helping them apply to their favorite high schools, deciding between medication or behavior therapy, budgeting for their child's biggest hobby, advocating for their IEP, meeting with their counselors, wanting to volunteer in their class, and more.
Imagine a workplace where all of these milestones and tasks are acknowledged for their immense value and effort, and where the mothers performing them are honored with recognition, equal pay, paid family leave, appropriate time off, work schedules that align with school schedules, and support systems. We want companies and government policy to help make this happen, but rather than wait, we believe women with financial power can start creating this cultural shift.
Women in the workforce who are financially independent are uniquely positioned to drive change in the workforce. They shouldn't have to; it's yet another burden that women have taken on to ensure our world is more equitable. And yet, they have the power to, and data shows us that women are an incredible force in helping to shape a more equitable workplace. How can financial independence be a differentiator for women in driving this change (when government and company policy have failed, thus far, to do it)?
Having financial means, as well as the time, gives women the opportunity to support people they believe to be most effective in activating the policies they believe to be most beneficial for women and families. Women can use their time and money to campaign for the local and federal representatives they believe will advocate for these policies.
Financial independence gives women more agency to push for policy within their own companies. Without having to depend on income from their employers, they are in a better position to negotiate, question the status quo, and push for change. In this way, financially independent women in the workforce can not only help to ignite the movements that push for more corporate changes, they help to inspire an innovative workforce that is more likely to advocate for its biggest needs.
Financial independence allows women to leave situations where they are not being honored and respected, including their place of work. Financially independent women are more likely to take career risks and start their own businesses, where they have the ability to create the culture and policy they wanted to see in their former place of work.
Financial independence is not just about security or building generational wealth. It’s about having the freedom to advocate for your needs, ideas, and ambitions without the fear of losing your income or compromising your financial stability.
At Rising Femme Wealth, we know that your passions extend far beyond the boundaries of traditional gender roles. Yes, they may include globe-trotting adventures or time spent with loved ones, including your children. But they also encompass the fulfillment of your career aspirations and the desire to make a meaningful impact in the world.
Whether you dream of launching your own business, climbing the corporate ladder, or championing causes close to your heart, we believe financial independence helps to supports those goals. Our vision for you is not just financial success, but holistic fulfillment—a life where you are empowered to pursue your passions, advocate for your needs, and make a difference in the world.
P.S. A lot of the above reflection was inspired by data published in this Pew Research Study.
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