Happy Women’s History Month, fintech fam! 💜

Lately, I’ve been asked why I’m holding on to my optimism this March, and honestly? I do it for the women who came before us—our ancestors, if you will.

This reminded me of a moment last year, during the launch of my book Fintech Feminists, when Amy Nauiokas asked why I focused so much on honoring women like Ada Lovelace, Maggie Walker, and Grace Hopper.

The answer is simple: These women didn’t just break barriers—they built the doors we walk through today.

How could I not honor their legacy by pushing forward, creating space for the next girl to rewrite the narrative or build the next groundbreaking fintech startup?

So yes, the work continues. The motivation we need to keep going is all around us—in the stories of the women who paved the way. Let’s keep their momentum alive.

Whether this month is giving you all the feels or not, we’re building spaces where women thrive—like at the Fintech Is Femme Leadership Summit on April 23 (P.S. Only 6 early bird tickets left—grab yours here!)

Now, let’s dive into today’s column.

INNOVATION

When we talk about the history of finance and technology, one glaring truth is clear: it wasn’t just men who built these empires.

No, it was women who broke down barriers, balanced activism and entrepreneurship, and paved the way for the fintech world we know today.

Sure, the spotlight’s often been on the usual suspects—the Wall Street titans and Silicon Valley bros—but behind every revolution, there’s a woman who quietly (and not-so-quietly) moved the needle.

And it’s high time we shouted about it.

Let’s rewind to December 27, 1967: Muriel F. “Mickie” Siebert made history as the first woman to own a seat on the New York Stock Exchange, standing tall among 1,375 members.

She didn’t stop there.

In 1977, Siebert became the first woman to serve as Superintendent of Banks for New York State.

A pioneer? Absolutely. A trailblazer? Without a doubt.

But guess what? Her legacy didn’t end with her.

Fast forward to 2021, and Lynn Martin steps up as the 68th president of the NYSE, proving that one woman’s door-kicking journey is just the start of a domino effect in the world of female leadership on Wall Street.

Juanita Kreps (1972) and Stacey Cunningham (2018) each shattered ceilings along the way—just another reminder that when women rise, we don’t just reach the top; we bring the whole damn ladder with us.

Yet, despite these monumental strides, the fintech space still has a bad habit of telling us there’s not enough room at the table.

Not enough capital.

Not enough talent.

And certainly not enough women to lead.

Spoiler alert: That’s pure, unadulterated nonsense.

The truth is that women have been building the foundations of fintech since the very beginning, only to be iced out over time by outdated cultural norms.

Fun fact: Did you know that software programming was once an overwhelmingly female profession?

Yup. As recently as 1980, women held 70% of the programming jobs in Silicon Valley.

That ratio? Completely flipped. Today, the tech industry’s infamous “bro culture” has made sure those spaces feel a lot more like boys’ clubs.

But you know what? History’s first computer programmer wasn’t a guy in a hoodie; it was Ada Lovelace.

In the 1800s, while society expected women to be tucked away in corsets, Ada was busy crafting the first-ever algorithm for Charles Babbage’s Analytical Engine—the first algorithm, people—created by a woman.

And it doesn’t stop there. Grace Hopper (PhD in math, rear admiral in the Navy, inventor of COBOL—no biggie) built the foundation for the digital age.

It was her innovation that gave rise to programming languages, laying the groundwork for the financial technologies that power everything from mobile payments to blockchain today.

Women didn’t just follow the trends; they set them.

Margaret Hamilton wasn’t just breaking barriers; she was sending astronauts to the moon.

As the lead software designer for NASA’s Apollo program, her work saved the Apollo 11 mission.

Yes, she was the one behind the software that made that iconic moon landing possible.

Meanwhile, the unsung heroines like Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson (famously portrayed in Hidden Figures) were helping launch the first American astronaut into orbit.

These women weren’t just computing—they were making history.

And let’s not forget Maggie Lena Walker, who in 1903 became the first Black woman to charter a bank—the Saint Luke Penny Savings Bank.

She didn’t just build a bank; she created an institution that stood the test of time, weathering the Great Depression and keeping its doors open through mergers and changes.

She also founded a newspaper, called the St. Luke Herald, that spoke out about civil rights abuses.

That’s the kind of grit that built the backbone of today’s financial industry.

Betsy Cohen took fintech to a whole new level in the late 20th century by founding Jefferson Bank in Pennsylvania and then launching The Bancorp, a virtual bank that helped fintech giants like PayPal get their start.

She didn’t stop there—Cohen pioneered the SPAC (Special Purpose Acquisition Company) wave, taking fintech companies public and helping them scale. She’s a living legend.

All of these women weren’t just making a name for themselves—they were creating the very infrastructure that fintech runs on today.

They laid down the foundations, coded the systems, and built the frameworks we now take for granted.

But what makes their stories so powerful is not just their impact—it’s the way they did it.

They were bold. They were unapologetic.

And they did it with an understanding that making money and making a difference aren’t mutually exclusive. They’re the perfect match.

Fast-forward to today, and the women making waves in fintech are following in their footsteps—taking risks, disrupting industries, and proving that yes, it is possible to make real change while turning a profit.

These modern-day visionaries are not only rewriting the rules of innovation but also ensuring that the future of finance is both ethical and lucrative.

So, the next time someone tells you there’s not enough room for women in fintech, just remember: We’ve been here all along, rewriting history.

Get ready, because we’re just getting started.

If you’re feeling inspired by these incredible women and want to be part of the movement, mark your calendars for the Fintech Is Femme Leadership Summit happening on April 23rd in New York City.

This year’s summit will bring together some of the brightest and boldest women in fintech, including:

These powerhouse women are just a glimpse of the trailblazers sharing their wisdom and stories, redefining what it means to lead in fintech.

Don’t miss your chance to hear from these change-makers and connect with others pushing the boundaries of finance, technology, and leadership.

SPONSORED BY FINTECH MEETUP

Fintech Meetup is hands down one of my favorite events of the year! Kicking off next week, it’s always like the fintech community’s first big reunion—and for 2025, I’m heading in with community and collaboration front and center. 🤝

I’ve been attending for the past two years, and every single time, I walk away with valuable connections and insights that take my business to the next level.

This will be my third year, and you won’t want to miss me on the panel about Accelerating Funding for Women and Diverse Founders in Fintech on Wednesday, March 12 at 1 pm PT. Joining me are some incredible voices:

It’s not too late to grab your ticket. Can’t wait to see you there!

She’s back, and this song is so relatable right now. In the chaos of it all, sometimes we just need to take ourselves out for the night and let loose—wiggle, dance, and let it all go.

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📚 Increase your expertise by ordering your copy of my book, Fintech Feminists: Increasing Inclusion, Redefining Innovation, and Changing the Future for Women Around the World.

That’s all for now! See you Thursday!

Love,

Nicole 💜