As the United States approaches the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, the Smithsonian’s Women’s History initiative, Smithsonian Institution, is expanding the conversation of what independence truly means, especially for women.
Through its oral history project, We Do Declare, the initiative explores how women across the country have defined, pursued, and redefined independence since the 1970s. Over 30 oral histories and interviews reveal a powerful truth: for many women, independence is inseparable from financial power.
These stories are not only reflections on the past, they are a record of persistence, innovation, and structural change. The women featured in the project refused to accept the barriers placed before them. Instead, they reshaped systems and expectations, advancing financial independence for themselves and for generations that followed.
Across the interviews, four clear and interconnected strategies emerge:
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- Passing new laws that opened doors previously closed to women
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- Creating new networks that provided mentorship, opportunity, and support
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- Finding new data that made inequality visible and actionable
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- Building new power through leadership, entrepreneurship, and advocacy
Together, these approaches tell a broader story of transformation, one in which women did not wait for permission to participate fully in economic life. They built the infrastructure of inclusion themselves.
Spotlight: Alexandra Armstrong | A Pioneer in Financial Independence
Among the many remarkable voices in We Do Declare is Alexandra Armstrong, a long-standing leader in the financial advisory profession and the first-ever Lifetime Achievement Award winner from Invest in Others.
Armstrong’s story is a powerful example of how personal experience can shape public impact. Determined not to repeat her mother’s financial struggles as a widow, she became one of the first women Certified Financial Planners in the United States. Her career path, from secretary in a stock brokerage firm to stockbroker in a woman-owned firm, and eventually to founding her own company, reflects both resilience and vision.
Her work has always centered on empowering others, particularly women, to understand and take control of their financial lives. As an author, she has continued that mission, including her widely respected book on financial advice for widows, now in its sixth edition.
Armstrong’s reflections highlight a consistent theme found throughout the We Do Declare project: financial independence is not only about individual success, but also about creating pathways for others to follow.
Why These Stories Matter
The oral histories collected in We Do Declare illuminate how progress is built, incrementally, collaboratively, and often against significant resistance. They also underscore the critical role that financial literacy, access, and representation play in achieving true independence.
For organizations like Invest in Others, these stories resonate deeply. They reflect a shared belief that when professionals in financial services invest their time, expertise, and resources in others, they help expand opportunity and strengthen communities.
Watch the Full Story
Alexandra Armstrong’s journey is featured in a video spotlight that brings her story to life in her own words, from her early career challenges to her lifelong commitment to helping women achieve financial confidence and independence.
👉 Watch the video spotlight to hear her story firsthand and explore how one career helped shape a movement.
Explore More
To learn more about the We Do Declare project and discover additional oral histories, visit the Smithsonian’s Women’s History portal: Explore We Do Declare: Alexandra Armstrong and her Invest in Others Lifetime Achievement page.
