Women Money Power: The Rise and Fall of Economic Equality

In Women Money Power, author and financial journalist Josie Cox sheds light on the historic and ongoing struggle for economic equality for women, examining both the progress made and obstacles still standing in the way.

Throughout history, women have faced unequal access to financial resources and the resulting limits on freedom and influence that accompanied them. Women were prohibited from acquiring land or engaging in property transactions. Even into the 20th century, women required their husband's approval to obtain loans or have their own bank accounts. Female employees faced discrimination for getting married or pregnant, leading to potential job loss. Even if they were able to keep their jobs, they were often limited in their job roles, hours, and pay compared to their male counterparts, despite performing the same work.

It was a raw deal, and women weren’t happy with it. So they pushed back. Women, Money, Power is an inspirational account of brave pioneers who took on social mores and the law, including the Rosies who filled industrial jobs vacated by men and helped win WWII, the heiress whose fortune helped create the birth control pill, the brassy investor who broke into the boys’ club of the New York Stock Exchange, and the namesake of landmark equal pay legislation who refused to accept discrimination.

But as any woman can tell you, the battle for equality, for money and power is far from over.  Author, Josie Cox, delves deep into the challenges women face today and the culture and systems that hold them back. This is a fascinating narrative account of progress, women’s lives, and the work still to be done.