April 2025

Financial Literacy Month:

Inspiring Confidence in Women

By Laura Delaney, Virtu Financial

2025 STA WIF Vice Chair


Did you know that April is Financial Literacy Month? With the rise of women in senior leadership roles across the industry, we don't often stop to think about the fact that CEOs and managing directors were once college, high school, or even middle school students learning the basics of finance. Each April, Financial Literacy Month highlights the importance of educating those of all ages on the keystones of finance.


At STA WIF, our priority is to advocate for women in finance and provide resources for those in our industry, and Financial Literacy Month aligns with our vision for women not only in the trading space, but all over the world. By offering educational resources and real-world applications of financial principles, initatives like Financial Literacy Month help instill confidence in women early on, regardless of their career path.


Improved accessibility to investing products and educational resources continue to provide a greater platform for women around the world. A 2024 survey found that 48% of women are "confident" in their finances, but less than 30% feel compelled to take further action to reach their financial goals. Whether it's your daughters, nieces, or junior colleagues, it's never too early to encourage financial literacy.


The building blocks of finance, like opening a brokerage account and saving for retirement, are key tools in establishing independence and responsibility for women of all ages - and may even inspire a career in finance!

Women in Finance Mentorship Program

Applications for the very first STA Women in Finance Mentorship Program are now open! If you're interested in being either a mentor or a mentee, apply today! Please note that we will cap the program at 15 mentees and 15 mentors.


We will also be hosting a Mentorship Program Happy Hour in New York on Tuesday, June 10 for mentors and mentees in the program - click the link below for more details!

Apply Here

Save the date for STA's 92nd Annual Market Structure Conference, which will be returning to Washington DC on October 15-17!


Our STA Women in Finance Symposium will be celebrating its 10th anniversary - stay tuned for further updates on the Symposium program and how we plan to recgonize this incredible milestone.

2024 Symposium Recap

Women in Finance Events


Women in ETFs Denver - Bursting Bubbles: ETF Trends in a Chaotic Market with Bloomberg

Thursday, May 8

3:00pm-6:00pm

Halcyon Hotel - Cherry Creek

Denver, CO

More info


Women in ETFs Chicago - Friday Round-up: Navigating the Evolving Landscape of ETF Distribution

Friday, May 9

8:30am

The Drake Hotel

Chicago, IL

More info


STA Women in Finance Mentorship Program Happy Hour*

Tuesday, June 10

5:00-7:00pm

Dear Irving on Hudson

New York, NY


*Event open to mentors and mentees in the Program.

Articles of Interest


Women in UK Finance Still Earn a Fifth Less Than Men

Bloomberg

The average woman working in the UK financial sector earns about a fifth less than their male coworkers, a reflection of how the gender pay gap has stubbornly persisted even during a period when businesses address workplace inequity through diversity, equity and inclusion. Read here


Women and Banking: 50 Years of Progress

Bankrate

The many areas in which women have made strides during the past five decades include personal finance and banking. Today, more than half of all women are in the workforce, and women can’t legally be denied credit based on gender. However, in 1970, only 43 percent of women were in the labor force, and women could be turned away by lenders if they didn’t have a male co-signer. Read here


Keep Going: Women in Finance Say ‘Own Your Professional Development’ as They Wrap Women’s History Month

Pensions & Investments

When there’s uncertainty in the financial markets, political world or even in one’s own career, a key to success is being able to navigate through different environments, according to women who’ve emerged in the institutional investing space. Read here

Follow STA on LinkedIn to stay in the know

on the latest WIF updates!

LinkedIn