Priscilla Wakefield: Empowering Women Through Financial Literacy

About this episode

This episode explores the life and contributions of Priscilla Wakefield in financial literacy and women's empowerment.

This Women in History Mini-Series with Dr. Victoria Bateman explores the life and contributions of Priscilla Wakefield, a revolutionary figure in financial literacy and women's empowerment during the Industrial Revolution. Wakefield's work in establishing savings banks and community insurance schemes for women highlights her belief in the practical application of mathematics for everyday life. The discussion also addresses the challenges women faced in finance during her time and her lasting impact on feminist economics. Takeaways Priscilla Wakefield taught ordinary people how to use numbers. She established England's first savings bank for women and children. Wakefield's work was pivotal during the British Industrial Revolution. She recognized the need for financial education among women. Her community insurance scheme empowered women financially. Wakefield's approach to mathematics was practical and accessible. She published influential works on women's rights and economics. Her philosophy emphasized the importance of financial literacy. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Priscilla Wakefield 01:19 Priscilla Wakefield: A Revolutionary Mathematician 04:28 The Financial Landscape of…

People in this episode

Hosts: Autumn Phaneuf, Noah Giansiracusa

Guest: Dr. Victoria Bateman

Topics covered

• financial literacy
• women empowerment
• mathematics
• history
• feminist economics
• savings banks

Keywords

• Priscilla Wakefield
• financial literacy
• women empowerment
• savings banks
• feminist economics
• Industrial Revolution

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: England

More episodes of Breaking Math Podcast

• How Data Science Exposes Injustice: Chad Topaz on Unlocking Justice · June 10, 2026 · 40 min
• Rise of the Robots: Is AI Coming for Your Job? · June 2, 2026 · 44 min
• The Echoing Universe: How Radio Waves, AI, and Math Could Help Us Find Aliens with Emma Chapman · May 29, 2026 · 47 min
• AI Solves 80-Year-Old Math Conjecture: What It Means for the Future of Mathematics · May 23, 2026 · 30 min
• The Science of Addiction: Dopamine, Social Media, and the Myth of Willpower with Maia Szalavitz · May 21, 2026 · 50 min
• Are We Being Misled by Data? Ron Wasserstein on AI, Bias, and Statistical Truth · May 14, 2026 · 48 min