[Book Review] Josie Cox: Women, Money, Power

This summer, I set a goal to find time to read again. Between returning to full-time work and raising my eight-month-old daughter and eight-year-old son, finding time to sit and read for more than a few minutes each day has been a challenge. However, I made an exception for Josie Cox's Women, Money, Power, a book I devoured in just a few short days.

Why was this book so captivating? Because it tells the powerful story of women’s wealth and economic evolution in the United States, with insights that touch on global impacts, spanning from the late 1800s to the present day. It delves into the lives of women we’ve all heard of—those we admire for their courage and determination to push forward the fight for women’s rights and equality.

What struck me most about this book was how it brought to life the saying, "standing on the shoulders of the women before me." Cox masterfully builds a narrative that honors both the well-known and the unsung women in history who took risks, challenged the patriarchy, and created a better future for all of us.

The book also highlighted a staggering fact: women did not have access to their own wealth outside of their fathers or husbands until the 1970s and 80s. It’s hard to believe that until just a few decades ago, women couldn’t open a bank account, access a credit card, or make major financial decisions without a male family member’s signature. I was born in the 1980s—let that sink in.

The struggle for economic equality doesn’t stop there. Women have been alternately catapulted into and retracted from the workforce, starting with the Rosie the Riveters during World War II and being thrust back into the role of housewife after the war ended, often without the option to choose. Regaining that level of workforce representation has been a battle, fraught with endless hurdles, including a lack of protection against harassment until the late 1980s. Again, I was born in 1987.

One of the book’s most powerful themes is that when women have the power to make choices, innovate, or access wealth and capital, they often use it to improve situations for everyone. This reinforces the critical need for women to generate their own wealth and participate in areas traditionally dominated by men.

The mining world is no exception. While women are increasingly visible in mining through employment opportunities, they are still underrepresented as major investors. The energy transition presents an incredible opportunity for women to create wealth for themselves and their families. It’s not just about making money—it’s about shaping the future of an industry crucial to the global economy and the sustainability of our planet.

Women have the right to be wealthy, and the energy transition is a pathway to achieving this. By increasing our participation in mining investments, we can help drive innovation, create more inclusive workplaces, and ensure that the benefits of this critical sector are shared more equitably. It’s time for women to step into these roles and claim their place in shaping the future of mining—and by extension, the world.

Let’s take the lessons from Women, Money, Power to heart and make sure we are not just part of the conversation but leading it. The future of mining, and our collective prosperity, depends on it.