Women Shaping a Sustainable Future

March is Women’s History Month, and at Homeword we recently celebrated International Women’s Day on March 9. Homeword originated from Women’s Opportunity and Resource Development (WORD), a women’s organization founded to uplift women. Although we have been independent from WORD for over 30 years, its core mission lives on at Homeword as we continue to recognize, join hands with and celebrate women in our homes and communities. 

My name is Chelsea Nichols, and I am Homeword’s financial educator. Through teaching Financial Skill Building classes and providing one-on-one financial counseling, I work with women every day who are building confidence, stability and sustainable futures for themselves and their families. In difficult times, it’s vital to honor and support the advancement of women as they determine their own paths. 

This year’s Women’s History Month theme is “Leading the Change: Women Shaping a Sustainable Future.” I find strength in slowing down to celebrate the brave triumphs women have made throughout history. Access to financial education promotes equity and empowers women from the kitchen table to the boardroom, now and for future generations. 

It’s essential to remember how recent many financial rights for women truly are. Did you know that it was as recently as 1974, when the Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA) was enacted, that women were finally allowed to open bank accounts and access credit without a husband’s permission? 

Today, women continue to face financial hurdles such as the gender pay gap, career interruptions due to caregiving responsibilities and unique challenges when preparing for retirement. Since women statistically live longer than men, long-term financial security is especially important. 

When I’m working with women one-on-one, I regularly see women who are solely financially responsible for the care of their children. I often see women who are limited in the hours they can work due to the cost of childcare, which can reduce career opportunities and advancement. I also see challenging debt loads for women after separating from partners, affecting their credit and limiting their ability to save in the short and long term. 

As Homeword’s financial educator, I am passionate about teaching classes and providing one-on-one counseling that introduces tools to people in our community to help them overcome these challenges and find financial freedom. In my working life, one of my primary motivators is helping people. When it came to my own finances, I felt lost and didn’t have the education or resources to create a solid plan to confidently reach my goals. Over the last year, I have worked to incorporate the tools I teach every day into my own financial life. This has reduced stress around my money and provided clarity in my goals. It has been incredibly helpful to me, and helping others achieve the same outcomes gives me a strong sense of purpose as we reduce financial stress across our community. 

Since March 2025, 63% of my financial education and counseling participants have been women, highlighting the ongoing need for accessible, empowering financial education. Participants in my Financial Skill Building class learn how to better understand their finances, adapt to changes in income or expenses, build sound financial judgment and address credit and debt challenges. When women have access to financial tools and knowledge, they can make informed decisions, prepare for the future and navigate unexpected challenges. This kind of empowerment strengthens not only individuals but entire households and communities. 

Now more than ever, it’s critical that we come together to strengthen our communities. Women play invaluable roles in shaping our present and future, and when they are supported, entire communities thrive. I look forward to celebrating my friends, sisters, mothers, aunts, coworkers and all the women around us by continuing to provide education that sustains and strengthens our community. 

Do you want to shape a more sustainable future for yourself? I’d love to see you in class! You can find out more by visiting our website.