“Over the years I have learned that what is important in a dress is the woman who is wearing it.” – Yves Saint Laurent
Dress for Success is a global non-profit focusing on empowering women to achieve economic independence starting in 1996. The organization provides professional attire and a network of support to help women thrive in work and life. Nancy Lublin, a law student, received a five-grand inheritance from her great-grandfather and decided to create Dress for Success with three nuns in the Church basement. Today, Dress for Success works with government and nonprofit agencies such as immigration services, homeless shelters, and domestic violence shelters to provide its tools.
According to the U.S. Government Accountability Office, women earned an estimated 82 cents for every dollar that men earned in 2021 with women making up an estimated 44% of the overall workforce. Dress for Success is determined to close the gap in women’s employment and wages.
The nonprofit collaborated with Juthaporn from San Francisco for a Mother’s Day Spotlight. Juthaporn experienced drug abuse and gun violence that resulted in her children getting caught in the crossfire. She is a mother of six children and has experienced homelessness. Since joining Dress for Success in 2018, she has improved her resume and interviewing skills through the employment program. She started a job at a local catering company and then at Bloomingdales. “I am not a statistic. I am a source of light for those who have lost their way,” says Juthaporn. She was motivated to further her education and earned her BA in Liberal Studies. Today, she uses the skills learned through her experiences as a relief counselor for the Progress Foundation.
In 2019, Dress for Success Worldwide spent 68%, around 7 million dollars, on affiliate programs and 1.6 million on employment programs. Affiliate programs are found in smaller communities that serve a specific area and fulfill the mission locally. The affiliate program determines how resources are applied to best serve local problems. Affiliate programs can be found all over the globe from New Zealand, San Francisco, and the U.K. with 143 offices in 23 countries.
Dress for Success offers clients leadership and suiting programs to benefit women in their economic achievements. The leadership program offers both counseling and volunteer work for accomplished women to mentor. The program promotes inspiration in women to advance in their careers and initiate social change. The suiting program advocates feeling confident in yourself and your business attire. Volunteers help women choose an interview outfit as well as provide guidance in the interview process.
