Why Dating Your Abundance Starts With the History of Women and Money

by Ruth-Anne Lindsey 

Standing on the Shoulders of Giants

Every great journey begins with a single step—and ours started long before we packed our bags for the Island of Possibility. The women who came before us carried heavy restrictions, yet they forged a path forward—one law, one protest, one act of courage at a time.

Because of them, we have the freedom to choose where our money story takes us. But before we set sail, let’s look back at the trail they cleared.

1974 – Freedom to Access Credit and Bank Accounts

This was a turning point on our map. Before 1974, you couldn’t apply for a credit card or loan without a husband, father, or brother co-signing—even if you worked full-time and paid every bill.

The Equal Credit Opportunity Act changed that, opening the first real bridge to financial independence. Without it, our journey to the Island of Possibility wouldn’t have been possible.

2009 – The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act

Decades later, another roadblock was lifted. Lilly Ledbetter discovered she’d been underpaid for nearly 20 years compared to her male peers—by more than $200,000. Her fight led to a law allowing women to challenge pay discrimination with every paycheck.

Another course correction on the map.

Canada’s Own Trailblazer: Viola Desmond

Before we leave shore, let’s pause at home. In 1946, Viola Desmond, a Black businesswoman in Nova Scotia, refused to leave a whites-only section of a theater. Her bold stand sparked Canada’s civil rights movement.

Why mention this in a conversation about money? Because freedom—whether social or financial—is never just given; it’s claimed. Today, her face graces Canada’s $10 bill, a powerful reminder that our path to abundance was paved by women who dared to stand up.

Why This Matters for You

If you’ve ever felt like you’re sailing toward financial freedom but keep hitting an invisible current, you’re not imagining it. Generations of scarcity and dependence shaped these waters. But here’s the truth: those tides no longer control you.

The women before us cleared the way. Now it’s your turn to board the ship, chart your course, and claim your place on the Island of Possibility.

Dating Your Abundance is about breaking those inherited patterns. It’s about:

✅ Writing your own financial love story

✅ Trusting yourself with bigger opportunities

✅ And building a relationship with money that’s rooted in freedom, not fear

… Because while laws can give you rights, only you can claim your abundance.

Journal Prompt:

If I could speak to the women who fought for my financial rights, what would I promise to do with the freedom I now have?

Your Next Step

You are part of a powerful lineage of women who fought for financial independence, clearing the path so you could embark on this journey. Now it’s your turn to set sail.

Pack your courage. Leave behind the old narratives that no longer serve you. And join a sisterhood rewriting the story of wealth and freedom—one empowered step at a time.

💌 Want to continue the journey? Join my email list for tools, stories, and inspiration to help you heal your relationship with money.

👉 Get Your Copy of the book Dating Your Abundance Today. Discover how to transform your relationship with money and create a life that feels rich—inside and out.

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