Give Her Credit
By Grace L. Williams
The incredible true story of a group of women who upended the 1970’s World of finance.
In the 1970’s , a new wave of feminism was sweeping America. But in the boys’ club of banking and finance, women were still infantilized – no credit without a male cosigner, and their income was dismissed as unreliable. If bankers weren’t going to accommodate women, then women had to take control of their own futures. In 1978 in Denver, Colorado, the opening of the Women’s Bank changed everything.
It was led by bank officer B. LaRae Orullian and the brainchild of whip-smart entrepreneur Carol Green. These two women forged a groundbreaking path with their headstrong colleagues, among them: Judi Foster, investment research whiz; Edna Mosley, unyielding civil rights advocate with the NAACP; Mary Roebling, renowned financial executive; Betty Freedman, a socialite and fundraiser; and Gail Schoettlier, a formidable Denver mover and shaker for social justice. Coming together and facing their own unique road to revolution, they built the most successful female-run bank in the nation. It wasn’t easy.
Give Her Credit follows the challenges, uphill battles, and achievements of some of the enterprising women of Denver who broke boundaries, inspired millions, and afforded opportunities for every marginalized citizen in the country. It’s about time their untold story was told.
Grace L. Williams is a financial media professional, insider trading expert, and accidental feminism and economics scholar. Her writing has been featured in Forbes, the Wall Street Journal, Barron’s, Harvard Business Review, Financial Advisor IQ, and RIA Intel, among many others.