Smart Women in Finance Have Been Around For Centuries

Photo Credit: Olia Danilevich

Money plays a huge role in all our lives. We work hard for it, try to save it, sometimes splurge on things that make us happy, and frequently stress about having enough of it.

But beyond just paying the bills, financial knowledge is power—especially for women. Historically, the finance world has been a boys’ club, but women have always been capable of making just as much impact, if not more.

Women have been making serious power moves in finance for centuries, often without getting the credit they deserve. That’s why we’re celebrating the pioneers who shattered ceilings, took over boardrooms, and changed the game.

Some of these names might be familiar, others may be new, but they’ve all left an undeniable mark on the financial world.

Muriel Siebert: The Woman Who Crashed Wall Street’s Boys’ Club

Walking into a room where no one looks like you is not easy. That was the case for Muriel “Mickie” Siebert in 1967 when she became the first woman to own a seat on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). A woman. On the NYSE.

Back then, that was unfathomable. Muriel had to fight tooth and nail just to get her foot in the door, facing rejection from multiple firms before finally breaking through. But once Siebert got in, she made sure to help other women do the same. 

Siebert’s legacy is one of resilience, breaking barriers, and proving that finance isn’t just for the boys.

Maggie L. Walker: The First Black Woman to Own a Bank

Source: Maggie L Walker National Historic Site

Let’s go back even further to 1903 when Maggie Lena Walker did something unthinkable at the time. Walker became the first African-American woman to charter and run a St. Luke Penny Savings Bank bank. And she didn’t stop there.

Walker was all about empowering Black Americans with financial independence, advocating for economic self-sufficiency during an era when opportunities for Black people were extremely limited.

She was the original financial influencer, teaching people how to save, invest, and build generational wealth before those were even common terms.

Hetty Green: The Billionaire Before Billionaires Were a Thing

Source: Hollinger & Rockey

Now, if you think women weren’t making big financial moves in the 1800s, let me introduce you to Hetty Green—also known as the “Witch of Wall Street.” No, not because she brewed potions (though, with her money skills, she might as well have).

Hetty was a self-made financial powerhouse who made her fortune through real estate, stocks, and bonds—at a time when women weren’t even supposed to handle their own bank accounts.

She was notorious for being incredibly frugal (we’re talking wearing the same black dress every day kind of frugal). Still, she had an investing strategy that built her an empire worth billions in today’s dollars. Love her or not, you have to respect her hustle.

Jane Fraser: The First Woman CEO of a Wall Street Bank

Source: Jane Fraser

Fast forward to 2021, and we have Jane Fraser, making history as the first woman to lead a major Wall Street bank—Citigroup. When she stepped into the role, many wondered how she’d handle it. And, of course, she crushed it.

Her leadership style is a mix of financial genius and straight-up common sense. She’s known for making big moves, including restructuring Citi to make it more efficient and tackling global economic challenges head-on.

And seeing a woman in one of the highest positions in global finance feels right.

Pam Kaur: Making Big Banking Actually Diverse

Source: hsbc.com

Finance still has a diversity problem. But women like Pam Kaur are changing that. She made history as HSBC’s first female Chief Financial Officer, breaking a 160-year-old streak of… men.

Her expertise is risk management, compliance, and ensuring the bank doesn’t go up in flames financially (just the person you want in charge). More importantly, she advocates for gender equality.

More Women, More Power, More Money

Here’s the bottom line. Women have always been in finance. We’ve built banks, managed billions, and led financial revolutions. The problem is we haven’t always been recognized for it.

But times are changing. 

Women are now at the forefront of financial innovation, investment strategies, and global economic leadership. And as more of us take our seats at the table, we’re not just asking for a slice of the pie—we’re baking the whole damn thing.

And if you’re managing your own finances, climbing the corporate ladder, or dreaming of starting your investment empire, remember this: there’s no ceiling too high, no industry too male-dominated, and no barrier we can’t break.

string(8412) "

Money plays a huge role in all our lives. We work hard for it, try to save it, sometimes splurge on things that make us happy, and frequently stress about having enough of it.

But beyond just paying the bills, financial knowledge is power—especially for women. Historically, the finance world has been a boys' club, but women have always been capable of making just as much impact, if not more.

Women have been making serious power moves in finance for centuries, often without getting the credit they deserve. That's why we're celebrating the pioneers who shattered ceilings, took over boardrooms, and changed the game.

Some of these names might be familiar, others may be new, but they've all left an undeniable mark on the financial world.

Muriel Siebert: The Woman Who Crashed Wall Street's Boys' Club

Walking into a room where no one looks like you is not easy. That was the case for Muriel "Mickie" Siebert in 1967 when she became the first woman to own a seat on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). A woman. On the NYSE.

Back then, that was unfathomable. Muriel had to fight tooth and nail just to get her foot in the door, facing rejection from multiple firms before finally breaking through. But once Siebert got in, she made sure to help other women do the same. 

Siebert's legacy is one of resilience, breaking barriers, and proving that finance isn't just for the boys.

Maggie L. Walker: The First Black Woman to Own a Bank

Source: Maggie L Walker National Historic Site

Let's go back even further to 1903 when Maggie Lena Walker did something unthinkable at the time. Walker became the first African-American woman to charter and run a St. Luke Penny Savings Bank bank. And she didn't stop there.

Walker was all about empowering Black Americans with financial independence, advocating for economic self-sufficiency during an era when opportunities for Black people were extremely limited.

She was the original financial influencer, teaching people how to save, invest, and build generational wealth before those were even common terms.

Hetty Green: The Billionaire Before Billionaires Were a Thing

Source: Hollinger & Rockey

Now, if you think women weren't making big financial moves in the 1800s, let me introduce you to Hetty Green—also known as the "Witch of Wall Street." No, not because she brewed potions (though, with her money skills, she might as well have).

Hetty was a self-made financial powerhouse who made her fortune through real estate, stocks, and bonds—at a time when women weren't even supposed to handle their own bank accounts.

She was notorious for being incredibly frugal (we're talking wearing the same black dress every day kind of frugal). Still, she had an investing strategy that built her an empire worth billions in today's dollars. Love her or not, you have to respect her hustle.

Jane Fraser: The First Woman CEO of a Wall Street Bank

Source: Jane Fraser

Fast forward to 2021, and we have Jane Fraser, making history as the first woman to lead a major Wall Street bank—Citigroup. When she stepped into the role, many wondered how she'd handle it. And, of course, she crushed it.

Her leadership style is a mix of financial genius and straight-up common sense. She's known for making big moves, including restructuring Citi to make it more efficient and tackling global economic challenges head-on.

And seeing a woman in one of the highest positions in global finance feels right.

Pam Kaur: Making Big Banking Actually Diverse

Source: hsbc.com

Finance still has a diversity problem. But women like Pam Kaur are changing that. She made history as HSBC's first female Chief Financial Officer, breaking a 160-year-old streak of… men.

Her expertise is risk management, compliance, and ensuring the bank doesn't go up in flames financially (just the person you want in charge). More importantly, she advocates for gender equality.

More Women, More Power, More Money

Here's the bottom line. Women have always been in finance. We've built banks, managed billions, and led financial revolutions. The problem is we haven't always been recognized for it.

But times are changing. 

Women are now at the forefront of financial innovation, investment strategies, and global economic leadership. And as more of us take our seats at the table, we're not just asking for a slice of the pie—we're baking the whole damn thing.

And if you're managing your own finances, climbing the corporate ladder, or dreaming of starting your investment empire, remember this: there's no ceiling too high, no industry too male-dominated, and no barrier we can't break.

"

The Hidden Dangers Of Buy Now, Pay Later Loans

Image by Raul Gonzalez Escobar for Unsplash

In recent years, the Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) service has become an increasingly popular way for consumers to make purchases and spread the cost over time. This payment option is widely available, allowing consumers to buy everything from clothes to electronics, and even groceries, and pay later in installments, often without interest. While BNPL

Help! I Can’t Stop Stress Shopping

Image by Alex Green for Pexels

It always starts the same way: I’m lying in bed, eyes wide open, doom-scrolling my way through the horrors of the world — climate change, inflation, AI replacing everyone, weird vibes from my boss. My heart races, my brain pings around like a pinball machine, and just when I think I might try deep breathing

Considering A Microwedding? Here’s How To Plan Yours

Microweddings are the next hottest trend.

Traditional weddings can be incredibly stressful, not to mention super pricey – many newlyweds couldn’t even buy a house with that money. What’s supposed to be the happiest day of your life can often feel like an endless quest for absolute perfection – almost as if the ceremony doesn’t come off flawlessly, the marriage itself

What Is Kris Jenner’s Net Worth? 

Kris Jenner

The Momager May Be Worth More Than You Think… Kris Jenner is a pop culture icon for many reasons. While you may have watched her meteoric rise to fame on Keeping Up with the Kardashians — which originally debuted on E! — she’s actually been a fascinating figure in the public eye for ages.  As

Living la Vida Frugal – Spend Less With Frugal Living

Tiny Home Image by Clay Banks_Unsplash

Everyone says the economy’s healthier than ever, but some of us still find it necessary to make that paycheck stretch…and stretch…and stretch. The better we understand our spending habits, the better we can manage them. Living frugally can benefit you in many ways. You’ll grow more self-reliant, creative, and resourceful as you learn to make