FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Financial Freedom & Activism Symposium in Montpelier

October 7, 2022

Montpelier, VT - Money Matters: Women and Trans Therapeutic Journey to Financial Freedom is a day-long symposium to explore financial healing and unravel the deep connection between personal and economic health. Presented by the Vermont Kindness Project, the event will take place Friday, October 7 at the Governor's Pavilion.

Up to 200 women will gather from 10am to 4pm, to engage with speakers, somatic movement, journaling and sharing. There will also be a screening of Face of Aces, a Vermont-based film about lifelong stress that results from adverse childhood experiences. Money Matters includes lunch from BIPOC, woman-owned Harmony's Kitchen and programming from 6 women, including Rickey Gard Diamond, author of Screwnomics and financial columnist for Ms. Magazine.

According to co-creator Shanda Williams, "The trauma of economic discrimination matters. There's an unspoken belief that some of us should always work for less, or work better for free. Why is the absolutely essential human work of home and caregiving so much lower in status and pay than supposedly important jobs with big money—jobs barred from women and people of color until very recently. Until 1974, a bank could legally demand a male co-signer for any woman opening her own bank account or applying for a loan! Today a stubborn pay gap still says females are worth less. That hurts, that damages."

Capstone Community Action and National Life Insurance are among the producers of this groundbreaking symposium, along with EmpowR, Screwnomics, Women's International League for Peace & Freedom. Participants will break destructive silences that impact the epigenetic, physical and mental health of what organizers are calling "economic minorities," (women, minorities, LGBTQIA+ and gender nonconforming people.)

"There are the economic inequities that we already talk about, such as the wage gap, professional obstacles, and disproportionate power in executive leadership. This stuff is difficult enough," explains co-creator Jaquelyn Rieke, "but then there are inequities about which we all maintain an eerie and persistent silence. The silences cut deeper than anything."

Tickets for Money Matters are limited to 200 participants. Sliding scale from $60-$120, available now at Eventbrite: Money Matters. No participant will be turned away for lack of funds.

Event location: The Pavilion, 109 State Street, Montpelier, VT

Event Info

Oct 31, 2024, 6 to 9 PM

Nov 2, 2024, 3 to 5 PM

Nov 3, 2024, 11:30 AM to 12 PM