By Lucille Eckrich and Marybeth Gardam, Women, Money, & Democracy Committee
Does money matter? The Women, Money, & Democracy Committee (W$D) thinks so. W$D focuses on economic justice projects, including public banking, monetary reform, challenging corporate power, and promoting feminist economic literacy. In 2026, W$D will offer opportunities to learn about this critical area of systemic reform—essential for achieving WILPF’s broader advocacy goals. Kicking off these efforts is an online series for beginners this March, titled “Money Matters,” held from noon to 1:30pm ET on March 4, 11, and 18.
The “Money Matters” series consists of three 90-minute sessions, held on the first three Wednesdays in March at noon ET / 11:00 a.m. CT / 10:00 a.m. MT / 9:00 a.m. PT. Presenting will be John Howell and Lucille Eckrich—members of our partner organization, the Alliance For Just Money (AFJM); Lucille is also a WILPF and W$D member. Each session includes time for Q&A. Registration is required for each session, with donations welcome but not mandatory. Details about the series and each session are provided below and on each session’s registration page (links below). Attend one, two, or all three!
Conscious Revolution, a Public Benefit Corporation and Certified B Corp, is dedicated to envisioning and creating alternative futures, while supporting organizational leaders and members through transformative leadership experiences. The “Money Matters” series is open to everyone and especially welcoming to those new to the topic of money.
What You’ll Learn at “Money Matters”
What will it take to achieve a Conscious Revolution for a just and sustainable society and global village? An oft taken-for-granted part of our market economy is money itself. But what is money? Where does it come from? Who creates it today, how, and to whose benefit? How does our current money system direct the allocation of resources? How does it affect our relationships with each other, locally and globally, and with the rest of nature? Does it support or undermine democratic practices, sustainability, and just exchange? Are there alternatives?
Session 1: Money at a Crossroads: Why Change is Needed
Date: March 4, 12:00-1:30 p.m. ET
We will outline the basics of the money system today, taking a peek at its history. How does the US money supply originate and grow? Where does it go when the money supply shrinks (it does so only rarely)? How is the money supply regulated? What are the effects of the current money system on the wealth gap, on sustainability, and on democracy itself? How did our system arise? What are monetary processes vs. fiscal processes? Time will be allotted for Q&A, comments, and critiques.
Register for Session 1.
Session 2: Legislating Change: The Details of Monetary Reform
Date: March 11, 12:00-1:30 p.m. ET
We will walk through and look at some of the important details of the American Monetary Reform Act (AMRA) as proposed by the Alliance For Just Money. What is the purpose of AMRA, and how does it achieve its purpose? How does AMRA restrain Congress from “printing too much money” and causing unacceptable levels of inflation? How does it affect banking? How does it involve both centralized and decentralized components in directing the flow of newly created money? How does it propose to stabilize the economy? How does it help the country address critical problems relating to meeting social needs and environmental protection? How does it affect money in politics? How does it provide for a smooth transition to a money system that is more accountable and beneficial to the public than the present system is? Time will be allotted for Q&A, comments, and critiques.
Register for Session 2.
Session 3: Paths to Reform: Contrasting Monetary Solutions
Date: March 18, 12:00-1:30 p.m. ET
Many approaches to money and finance exist. They vary in the degree to which they transfer control of the money system to the public and the way control will be transferred. Some like AMRA (featured in session 2) and central bank digital currency (CBDC) entail federal legislation only. Others like public banking and complementary currencies focus on local communities, regions, or states. Who should be trusted with the money supply—bankers or government? What about cryptocurrencies and so-called stablecoins? Each approach has features that can be perceived as strengths and weaknesses. Some of those will be summarized. Time will be allotted for Q&A, comments and criticisms.
Register for Session 3.
Please contact lucille.e@monetaryalliance.org with questions or comments about this series.
