Ethel Holladay: Woman of Excellence
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Ethel Holladay's cozy home office is filled with memorabilia of Elvis Presley, Princess Diana and apples, an eclectic representation of her passions and profession.
She cannot trace the source of her lifelong interest in British royalty but attributes her love of all things Elvis to the age in which she grew up. The apples are likewise easy to explain. Ethel recently retired after 34 years as a high school business teacher - four years at Trico High School and 30 years at Du Quoin High School.
The SIU graduate initially wavered between music and business education, but business won out to the benefit of the more than 1,500 students that have passed through her classroom. Over the course of her career, Ethel developed new classes in accounting, business law and management. She created materials and equipment to assist students with disabilities in her keyboarding classes.
Her days did not end with the afternoon bell. Among the many ways she has contributed to several organizations were serving as president of the North Central Business Education Association and the Illinois Business Education Association as well as trustee of The Lincoln Academy of Illinois and as long-time adviser of the Future Business Leaders of America.
Her contributions did not go unnoticed. In June, Ethel was honored at the 10th Annual Smart Women, Smart Money conference with the Woman of Excellence Award. Smart Women, Smart Money is a service of the Illinois State Treasurer's Office aimed at helping women navigate their changing finances.
And women's finances have changed dramatically in the years since the conferences began. For the first time in US history, more women are employed than men. Yet, traditionally women earn less than men, take time out of working to raise a family and live longer, all of which contribute to their unique money issues.
The current economic downturn only highlights the need for financial literacy, according to Ethel. Finances touch every area of life and it's impossible for anyone to grow up without developing attitudes towards money. Consumer education is a required course in Illinois schools, but Ethel points out that financial literacy is only part of a course that lasts one hour a day, five days a week for 18 weeks.
"What we do is only a capstone to what they learn from Mom and Dad," she said.
Ethel does not believe that allowance is the only answer or even the right answer for everyone. Like everything else in parenting, she says that what is appropriate for one child may not be appropriate for another.
No matter where parents stand, Ethel believes that there has to be accountability in a child's finances. When a child receives money, whether from an allowance, grandma or a lemonade stand, parents should help them make decisions about how the money will be allocated.
However, financial literacy is about more than money. Ethel suggests including children in comparison shopping. Trips to the bank can be teachable moments if a parent explains what is happening.
This is becoming more important with the card economy - credit cards, debit cards and gift cards have left even some of Ethel's former high school students unsure of how to use a checking account. As important as active teaching moments are such things as how parents value and care for possessions.
Ethel said that as children grow older, organizations such as churches, scouting and 4-H have fantastic financial programs and even volunteer opportunities can cause children to question why they have what they have and why others do not.
"They're going to learn," she said. "We want them to learn the right thing."
For this teacher, financial literacy is a passion that extends beyond the classroom. She continues to contribute her expertise to college students as a board member of Inspiring Women, a group that among other things awards four $5,000 "Our Mother's" scholarships each year.
Despite the name, Ethel stresses that this is a wonderful way for people to honor any woman who has made a significant impact on their lives. The organization also gives out retention scholarships, which help students stay in school.
"When you give to students, you also give to our community," she said.
Ethel is eager to move on to her next professional adventures. She has been asked to serve on a newly formed statewide task force on student financial literacy and has been named executive director of the Illinois Business Educators Association, a group of instructors from the middle school through university level.
"I'm pretty excited about what I've got to do," Ethel said.
With a retirement that looks at least as busy as her teaching years, this Elvis-lover clearly has no plans to leave the building.
In Deep Appreciation
(Editor's Note: A very gifted writer and friend, Chandra Green, is managing editor of a publication called "Heartland Women." One of her staff members, Karen Loughlin, authored the above story for that publication. Heartland Women is available online at heartlandwomen.com and the newspaper is available throughout Southern Illinois, free of charge. For locations, send an e-mail to heartlandwomen@hotmail.com.)
--John H. Croessman