This October 11 marks the tenth anniversary of the International Day of the Girl (IDG). The United Nations is pleased with the success of the IDG since its inauguration: “In these last ten years, there has been increased attention on issues that matter to girls amongst governments, policymakers and the general public, and more opportunities for girls to have their voices heard on the global stage.” But there’s still plenty of road to travel to reach the destination. The UN notes that “girls around the world continue to face unprecedented challenges to their education, their physical and mental wellness, and the protections needed for a life without violence.”

At Arnerich Massena, we are dedicated to investing in the next generation of women, which is why we’ve become the first Oregon sponsor of Rock the Street, Wall Street (RTSWS), which provides financial and investment education to high school girls in order to spark their interest in careers in financial services.

A team of Arnerich Massena volunteers launched our RTSWS financial and investment literacy program last week, with a group of 18 students at Grant High School. Over the course of the next few weeks, we’ll introduce the concepts of budgeting, saving, and investing, discussing topics such as inflation, volatility, and risk tolerance. The students will take a field trip to the Arnerich Massena office to learn more about different kinds of jobs in finance and gain firsthand experience of what it’s like to work in the industry. In the spring, we’ll conduct a mentorship program, coaching the RTSWS students in career building and professional development. We’re excited to play a role in empowering these future female financial professionals!

To learn more about RTSWS and the work they are doing nationwide, visit https://rockthestreetwallstreet.com/home/.

To learn more about the International Day of the Girl, visit https://www.un.org/en/observances/girl-child-day. As the UN states: “girls are ready for a decade of acceleration forward. It is time for us all to stand accountable – with and for girls – and to invest in a future that believes in their agency, leadership, and potential.”