From homemakers to breadwinners and from high school seniors to senior citizens, women who work or reside in North Idaho are invited to increase their financial confidence during a free conference in June.

The inaugural North Idaho Women and Their Money Conference will take place from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. June 9 at North Idaho College. Breakout sessions will cover numerous financial topics. The day will feature a New York Times bestselling author and inspirational speaker who will deliver the keynote presentation.

"This is a purely academic event," conference co-chair Teresa Irish said Thursday. "This is a true financial academic day on the college campus, which many people may never have had the opportunity to do."

Irish credited Idaho State Treasurer Julie Ellsworth for bringing this event to Kootenai County to support the financial education of local women. An honorary co-chair for the North Idaho event, Ellsworth is involved with the annual Boise-based Savvy Women and Money Conferences of Idaho, designed to empower women with the skills and knowledge necessary for making informed financial decisions.

Ellsworth said Friday that based on the response from communities in North Idaho and the Treasure Valley, it's clear people are in need of these tools. 

An all-female event such as the North Idaho Women and Their Money Conference not only offers information but does so in a secure setting.

"The beauty of having a conference just for women is it takes the scary out of asking a question," Ellsworth said.

Keynote speaker Ellen Rogin is a money expert and financial intuitive who helps people improve their relationship with money. She is the author of "Picture Your Prosperity: Smart Money Moves to Turn Your Vision into Reality" and "Messages from Money: How to Stress Less, Prosper More and Reshape Your Relationship with Money." 

STCU is the title sponsor for the keynote and will provide attendees with copies of "Messages from Money."

The conference committee is seeking local pro bono presenters and facilitators to share information that attendees can implement after the conference.

Suggested topic areas include budgeting and saving; debt management; investing basics; income growth; college savings; elder law; cybersecurity and bankruptcy, to name a few. Submit online proposals at northidahowomenandtheirmoney.com by Jan. 31.

For some conference attendees, the education will continue after the event through North Idaho Women and Their Money Conference Scholarships for vocational or workforce training and credit-based curriculums. 

Scholarships will be administered by the North Idaho College Foundation. Numerica Credit Union has already donated $10,000 to the fund.

“When you feel so buried and can’t figure out how to start, we have people who will help you first understand it, how to manage it," Irish said. "People just need to be OK to make peace where they are and come in knowing these are going to be resources that will help you with the next step."

Email northidahowomenandtheirmoney@gmail.com or visit northidahowomenandtheirmoney.com for details.

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