By GINNY COOPER MCCARLEY / Staff Writer

CALERA—Jerri Gray knows what it is like to live paycheck to paycheck.

“I was that single mother raising four children, living paycheck to paycheck,” Gray said, and notes this background makes her passionate about sharing financial knowledge with women.

Gray will lead a financial seminar for women titled “A man is not a financial plan” at Vizzini Farms Winery on Aug. 23 at 11 a.m.

“A lot of seminars try to sell you something, but I strictly want to educate women,” said Gray, who has worked as an investment advisor for 16 years. “This is something that is sort of my ministry.”

Nine out of 10 women are left to manage their own finances, Gray said, noting women often live longer than their partners. During the seminar, Gray aims to “empower” women and teach them how to make investments.

“It’s small enough so it’s not intimidating,” Gray said.

The seminar is free and open to the public, but seating is limited. The event will begin with a tour of the winery, followed by a wine tasting and luncheon.

Gray is a licensed health and life insurance professional and a Certified Senior Advisor. She is a founding partner of Driskell Gray, Inc. in Birmingham.

“I just want to empower women to make their own financial decisions,” Gray said.

To register for the event, visit Driskellgray.com or call 383-4227.