Despite the tremendous strides that women have made in recent decades, they still face significant financial challenges. They live longer than men but average fewer years in the work force and are less likely to collect a pension. At the same time, they are frequently the chief financial decision-makers in their household.  Helping women develop the know-how and confidence to manage

their finances is what Smart Women Smart Money is all about.  

Smart Women Smart Money (SWSM) is a one-day financial education conference that includes presentations and workshops, networking opportunities and an exhibit area. The purpose of SWSM is to empower, encourage and inspire women to take control of their finances as early in life as possible. SWSM does this by providing speakers, most of whom are women, who can provide practical advice and real-life examples of how women can budget, save and invest wisely. Advance registration is acquired, but there is no charge, thanks to the support of generous sponsors.

SWSM in 2008

Giannoulias and guests at a 2007 Carbondale conference.

Six SWSMs are being held throughout Illinois during 2008:  Springfield, Mt. Vernon, Rockford, the south suburbs, Chicago and the Metro East area. The overall theme for 2008 is “Recession-Proofing Your Finances.”  While the program varies from site to site, the guiding principle is to equip women with information, resources and confidence to make wise financial decisions in these challenging times of economic uncertainty.

2008 Conference Dates and Locations

Chief of Staff Robin Kelly with Seattle Sutton of Seattle Sutton’s Healthy Eating and Rep. Deborah Graham (D-78th).

September 18 - Metro East
Information coming soon. Register online.

October 8 - Chicago
Information coming soon. Register online.

To sponsor or showcase your business at an event, please call (312) 814-1700 or register as an exhibitor online.

The Audience

SWSM attracts women of all ages and all
walks of life: Retired women, working women who take time from their work day to attend,
stay-at-home moms, college students and interns. Their positive feedback indicates they
welcome the financial information they receive

SWSM Speakers

Over the years SWSM has proudly featured nationally renowned speakers, primarily from the business and financial world, including:

•Frank Abignale, whose life inspired the Tom Hanks film Catch Me If You Can

•David Bach, author of Smart Women Finish Rich

•Shinae Chun, U.S. Department of Labor – Women’s Bureau

•Mellody Hobson, president of Ariel Capital Management and regular contributor to ABC’s Good Morning America

•Singer and speaker Wynnona Judd

•Gail Perry Mason, author of Girl, Make Your Money Grow

•Author and financial commentator Terry Savage

•Seattle Sutton, founder of Seattle Sutton’s Healthy Eating

•Manisha Thakor, co-author of On My Own Two Feet and recently guest on Channel 11’s Chicago Tonight
and the opportunity to be inspired and empowered by other women. Business women and other professionals enjoy SWSM as an event where they can meet potential customers, recruit new employees, and build new partnerships.

Local SWSM Awards

In 2007, Treasurer Giannoulias started a new SWSM tradition, the presentation of the SWSM Woman on the Rise Award, for a successful entrepreneur, and the SWSM Woman of Excellence Award, for a woman who has broken through the glass ceiling, especially in the financial area, or has been a strong advocate and role model for financial literacy.

A Brief History of SWSM

Smart Women Smart Money began with a full-day event in Chicago in October 2001.  In subsequent years SWSMs were developed for particular Chicago communities and for other cities around the state.  2007 saw a total of six events, including a mini SWSM at the Operation Push convention, and first-time events in Bloomington and East St. Louis. 

Partners, Exhibitors and Sponsors

Whenever possible, SWSM partners with local organizations that provide input on the issues of greatest concern to women in the community, recommend local speakers, recruit local women’s businesses and organizations to participate, and help with promotion, registration and on-site logistics. 

To enhance the networking opportunities that SWSM provides, each event includes an exhibit area where women-owned businesses, organizations that serve women and children, and other entities can showcase their products and services. 

Thanks to the generous support of corporate sponsorships through Dollars and Sense, Inc. there is no charge to attend SWSM.

  

SWSM 2008 is sponsored by the following:

    
   
 
 
 
 
   

Employ Illinois gives business owners access to capital to start or enhance their businesses with the help of low- interest rate loans.

Opportunity Illinois backs low-interest loans to consumers and community development agencies to improve the quality of life in Illinois.

Cultivate Illinois helps farmers offset the rising cost of farming and encourages green business development.
Money Market and Prime Funds allow local government entities to pool their investments to gain a higher rate of return for their residents.
Online bill paying gives people with busy schedules a quick and convenient way to pay government bills and fees.