Women Give Back to Community by Conducting Seminars on How to Manage Finances

(McLean, VA, January 27, 2011) – The American Society of Women Accountants Educational Foundation successfully conducted its first web-based training seminar this week. More than 70 ASWA members received practical instruction on how to conduct community-based financial literacy programs.

The web seminar, Bringing Financial Literacy to Your Community, was moderated by Denise Probert and featured panelists Beverly Anderson and Melody B. King. Probert explained how to put together an educational program using the FDIC Money Smart curriculum to teach money management and financial decision-making. Anderson shared her experience setting up a program that she conducted with the Family Violence Center in Springfield, MO; King discussed bringing the program to the Jackson-Feild Home for Girls in Richmond, VA.

"We used real-world examples with the girls,” King told seminar participants. "When you have money in your pocket, how much do you save, and how much do you spend on that new purse you like?”

Anderson explained the effects of the financial literacy program, "I was amazed by how they related to the topic and how we could help them. The employees at the Center told us this was a huge step forward in participants' self worth and ability to be self-sufficient.”

The American Society of Women Accountants Educational Foundation will continue to conduct training sessions at regional conferences and in the web-based format this year. The goal is to train 355 ASWA members to go back to their communities and conduct financial literacy education for 1,400 individuals this year.

"The Foundation motivated me to set up a financial literacy program in my community,” commented seminar participant Barbara Covington. "This seminar gave me the tools and training to move forward to start the program. After hearing Beverly and Melody's experiences, I'm excited about conducting a financial literacy program.”

About the American Society of Women Accountants Educational Foundation (The Foundation):

Founded in 2004, The Foundation was established by the American Society of Women Accountants to promote and advance financial literacy, scholarship and life skills through programs of recognition, mentoring, research and outreach. Visit www.ASWA.org/Foundation for more information.

###