Inspiring Women Speak at Women’s Economic Ventures International Women’s Day Celebration Event

Hosted by Women’s Economic Ventures (WEV), the event celebrated the achievements of women and brought awareness to the national philanthropy gap in giving to women’s and girls’ causes.  
 

Ventura and Santa Barbara, CA—Women’s Economic Ventures (WEV) hosted its first International Women’s Day Celebration at The Hub – Community Environmental Council in Santa Barbara on Wednesday, March 6. The event celebrated the achievements of women and brought attention to the gap in philanthropic dollars that go to women’s and girls’ serving organizations like WEV. WEV is a non-profit dedicated to the economic empowerment of women, providing a full range of financial and entrepreneurial support – including classes, consulting, and funding – as well as financial literacy programs in both English and Spanish. Information at www.wevonline.org . 

The event speakers included, WEV Client Jonnie Williams, PsyD., Founder and CEO of Evolve Equity, University of California, Santa Barbara Professor, Sarah Thébaud, Ph.D., from the Department of Sociology, and WEV Board Member, Junemarie Justus, Founder of The Acorn Project.  

Sarah Thébaud, Ph.D. from the University of California, Santa Barbara opened the program by sharing her research in gender studies. She said, “It’s no secret we live in a society with gender inequality which is a problem not just for women but for everyone. There is the gender wage gap and women are still taking on the lion’s share of caregiving. Women need jobs with flexibility to balance caregiving and work. Entrepreneurship and organizations like WEV can give us real reason for optimism. Women from across the economic spectrum are often motivated to start businesses to remedy the gender challenges that are endemic to traditional employment. Entrepreneurship provides greater flexibility, autonomy, and happiness. It’s inclusive because it can transform careers regardless of a woman’s background or family circumstances.”  

WEV Client, Jonnie Williams, PsyD. opened her remarks by saying hello to the crowd of 50 attendees in her maternal grandmother’s native language from the Bitterwater clan of the Navajo Nation. Williams founded Evolve Equity to advance equity, racial justice, and healing for groups that have been historically marginalized. She shared, “I am a psychologist, I am systems change strategist, I am a mother, I am a spouse. As an indigenous woman I’ve overcome many barriers, I am the first in my family to go to college, I am the first in my family to even think about owning a business, I am the first in my family to own a home. As we celebrate the empowerment of women today, let’s reflect on the power and privilege we hold and how we can use that power and privilege to give to others that are not so fortunate.” 

WEV Board Member and founder of The Acorn Project, Junemarie Justus shared, “We all know that given the opportunity to thrive, women lift not only themselves, but their families and communities. Women are under-resourced, giving to women’s and girls’ organization represents 1.8% of all charitable giving in the U.S. Resourced women transform communities, lift economies, and create positive social change. We need look no further than WEV and our own community to see the outsized impact of investing in women.”  

The event is underwritten by the generosity of sponsors including The Acorn Project, Bank of America, Banks Coaching, LinkedIn, Lure Digital, Martin V. Smith School of Business & Economics at CSUCI, Ventura County Credit Union, Chevron, Nasif, Hicks, Harrris & Co., Santa Barbara Community College Foundation, Santa Barbara Foundation, and TileCo.  

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About Women’s Economic Ventures (WEV), www.wevonline.org
Women’s Economic Ventures is dedicated to the economic empowerment of women.  WEV is a business resource network for anyone looking to start a business, grow a local business, or improve their business skills. WEV provides a full range of small business support – including classes, consulting, and funding – as well as financial literacy programs in Santa Barbara and Ventura counties. While WEV’s focus is on women, it welcomes people of all gender identities into the WEV community. Business courses, programs and loans are provided in both English and Spanish.
 

Since 1991, WEV has provided business training and small business advisory services to more than 28,000 people throughout Santa Barbara and Ventura counties. WEV has made more than $6.9 million in small business loans and helped nearly 5,300 local businesses start or expand, generating an estimated $873 million in annual sales and creating over 12,400 local jobs. WEV is a U.S. Small Business Administration’s Women’s Business Center and Microlender, as well as a certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI).  

To support WEV’s work, please visit www.wevonline.org/support.