If you were to only watch our event video documenting our spring Sophia Wealth Academy you might believe we were a bunch of hooting and hollering dance maniacs. It looks a bit evangelical. And indeed, there was a great deal of joy and laughter during our day. Which is not common for most financial education workshops. As always, Wealth Academy marches to its own beat—literally and figuratively. We have always looked beneath the surfaces of trite prescriptions, masculine ideologies and pat social understandings. There is more to money for us than dollars and cents.
As women, we live within structures of intensely competing priorities. It is next to impossible for us to be “correct”. We must be attractive but not too beautiful, wise but not too old, rich but not make more than our spouses. The list of opposing demands on our attention and energy, is endless.
On March 1st, 2025, we began our day by examining the impact of history and law on our financial autonomy. When you cannot vote or own property or have your own credit score---when sacrificing your name and identity at marriage is the status quo, how are we expected to have a strong core belief in our worth? Dr. Tamara Myers outlined how the social and political systems we live within now and historically affect us, not just at the level of our human rights but its long-term impact on our sense of autonomy and confidence. Gender may not in and of itself, limit us but it has defined our journey.
She also told us the many ways we have fought back courageously, championed our rights and won battles for equality at many junctures in our history. We then delved deeper into how our attitudes and beliefs influence outcomes. We used kinesiology or muscle testing to physically experience how negative thoughts make us weak, and how strong, truthful affirmations reinforce our power and strength. In one epiphanic demonstration we experienced how we make one another stronger or weaker with just our powerful thoughts!
One recurrent theme of Wealth Academy is the importance of autonomy and self-determination. We recognize the power of our own ideas and narratives. We can learn investment philosophy and look at Andex charts forever, but what is MOST important is our capacity to ignite our own power and channel it in the direction that fulfills our greatest potential.
We didn’t just dance to be happy and joyful, although that is certainly a good enough reason to dance. We also danced as a way of experiencing how fast and effectively we can change our state of being from fatigued and overwhelmed to energetic enthusiasm. We have the power to do this at will.
There is no limit to what we can achieve with positive thoughts, wise action and the support of each other. Wealth Academy is about much more than becoming smart and wealthy. It is about experiencing the blossoming of individual potential in an environment where anything is possible.
To view the 2025 event photo gallery or to learn more about Sophia Wealth Academy, visit our event website.