Press Release

Jump$tart Coalition to Honor Rep. Terri Sewell for Leadership in Financial Literacy

The Jump$tart Coalition for Personal Financial Literacy today announced it will honor U.S. Rep. Terri A. Sewell (D-AL-7) for her leadership in advancing financial literacy at its April 5 Annual Awards Dinner.

The dinner, which recognizes accomplishments of individuals and organizations that are working to “unlock a financially literate future”, takes place at the Renaissance Washington, D.C., Downtown Hotel. It is a central event during the organization’s Financial Literacy Month (#FLM2017) celebrations.

In addition to honoring Rep. Sewell (full bio), the Jump$tart Coalition will bestow the State Coalition of the Year award, an Innovation Award and the William E. Odom Visionary Leadership Award. (See related releases.)

“Rep. Sewell is being honored as a champion of underserved communities and a proponent of financial education as a key component to addressing long-term challenges faced by U.S. consumers,” said Mike Staten, Jump$tart Chairman and director of the Take Charge America Institute at the University of Arizona.

Rep. Sewell, a member of the Financial and Economic Literacy Caucus, focuses on preparing her constituents for a “stronger and more secure economic future.” She has said, “(k)nowledge is power and we want our constituents to be equipped with the information they need to make the best financial decisions.”

Of the award, Jump$tart Coalition CEO and President Laura Levine, said “Rep. Sewell has been a stalwart supporter of financial literacy in her home state of Alabama, as well as on the national stage, and we are very excited to have this opportunity to recognize her work.”

Hill Day

In addition, Rep. Sewell has been invited to speak at Financial Literacy Day on Capitol Hill (Hill Day) on Friday, April 28 from noon to 3 p.m. in Rayburn House Office Building rooms 2043-2045, along with a number of her Financial and Economic Literacy Caucus colleagues. A free buffet lunch will begin at noon and features exhibits by more than 50 organizations – from the business, finance, nonprofit, association, government and academic sectors – that will gather to illustrate the importance of financial literacy.

Financial Literacy Month 

As the original promoter of April as Financial Literacy Month, Jump$tart Coalition will once again champion a month-long campaign to raise public awareness about the importance of financial literacy and the need for financial education; encouraging collaboration and acknowledging the many and diverse contributions its partners have made—and continue to make—to the field. National Financial Literacy Month, sometimes referred to as National Financial Capability Month, is marked by local, regional and national events and initiatives.

Federal Leadership Award

The award was introduced in 2004 as the Federal Legislator Award to recognize current members of the U.S. Congress who demonstrated support for financial education and youth financial literacy. In 2010, the award was renamed the Federal Leadership Award to include non-elected leaders of the federal government. Recent past winners were:

• 2016 – FDIC Chairman Martin Gruenberg
• 2015 – U.S. Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI)
• 2014 – CFPB Director Richard Cordray
• 2014 – U.S. Rep. Steve Stivers (R-OH-15)
• 2013 – U.S. Sen. Kay Hagan (D-NC)
• 2012 – U.S. Rep. Carolyn McCarthy (D-NY-4)
• 2011 – Federal Reserve Board Chairman Ben S. Bernanke
• 2010 – FDIC Chairman Sheila Bair