Give Her Credit

The Untold Account of a Women's Bank That Empowered a Generation

The galvanizing true story of a group of remarkable women in the 1970s male-run world of business, banking, and finance. They didn’t play by the rules. They changed them and made history.

In the 1970s, a new wave of feminism was sweeping America. But in the boys’ club of banking and finance, women were still infantilized—no credit without a male cosigner, and their income was dismissed as unreliable. If bankers weren’t going to accommodate women, then women had to take control of their own futures. In 1978 in Denver, Colorado, the opening of the Women’s Bank changed everything.

It was helmed by bank officer B. LaRae Orullian and the brainchild of whip-smart entrepreneur Carol Green, who forged a groundbreaking path with their headstrong colleagues, among them: Judi Foster, investment research whiz; Edna Mosley, unyielding civil rights advocate with the NAACP; Mary Roebling, renowned financial executive; Betty Freedman, a socialite and fundraiser; and Gail Schoettler, a formidable Denver mover and shaker for social justice. Coming together and facing their own unique road to revolution, they built the most successful female-run bank in the nation. It wasn’t easy.

Give Her Credit follows the challenges, uphill battles, and achievements of some of the enterprising women of Denver who broke boundaries, inspired millions, and afforded opportunities for every marginalized citizen in the country. It’s about time their untold story was told.

©2025 by Grace L. Williams. (P)2024 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Reseñas de la Crítica

“As she performs this galvanizing piece of cultural history, Adenrele Ojo's pacing and vocal character balance the formality needed for the material and the inviting tone that makes the story engaging.… Ojo's respect for the financial obstacles women had to overcome is audible but never sounds righteous or indignant. Her mature tone matches the stature of the author and her intelligent perspectives.”—AudioFile Magazine

“The author’s upbeat, conversational tone and clear affection for the focus of her work render this a fast-paced and riveting read…A fascinating history of a feminist triumph.”—Kirkus Reviews

Educational

I really enjoyed this story about women in history. It was a quick and easy listen.

Amazing

I am so thankful for the women who changed the dynamic and relationships we as women had with money and the banking system. Just 7yrs ago I found myself divorced, 3 kids, homeschooling, working as a 1099 for Uber and Rover, my 50% VA rating and child support. Every one of those would have kept me from buying a house, having a credit card let alone a bank account back in the 70s/80s. Because of these women breaking the cycle and starting a new accepting bank, they blessed generations to come and I am forever grateful!

Good but slow

It was a great story - but it was very long winded so I struggled to get through it. Lots of details but the general plot is quite interesting!

Slog

Full disclosure, I read this because for this months Goodreads challenge, it was the ONLY one on kindle unlimited. Ok well, I’m from Denver and I love history. How bad could it be?

Annoying start, and didn’t get better. I work in finance and am already bored to tears by it, and these (probably, I hope) rich and vivacious women, they got diluted down into statistics. Plus the narrator sounds like AI. Creepy.

Giving due credit

The story is a piece of our history in furthering women's rights. I say this as someone who lived through this era as a young female financial professional. The writing provides more detail than might be needed. Given the big cast of characters, it doesn't lend itself to an audio book.