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.”
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.
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.”
Since 1991, WEV has provided business training and small business advisory services to more than 28,000 people throughout Santa Barbara and Ventura counties.
To support WEV’s work, please visit www.wevonline.org/support.
