Dress for Success Celebrates 12 Years of Empowering Women in the Bay Area
Guest post by Amy Lynch
When someone makes the first step in getting out of a bad life situation, they don’t always have the resources or financial means necessary to get them to their next phase of life. That’s where Dress for Success comes in. The international organization aims to empower women to achieve economic independence by providing a network of support, professional attire and the development tools to help women thrive in work and in life. Currently, Dress for Success operates in 147 cities across 24 countries and has served over 1,000,000 women to date. Here in the Bay Area, the organization’s local affiliate has been progressing lives and careers for over a decade.
Women seeking help from Dress for Success are enrolled in a free five-part course, which includes suiting and job search programs, assistance from the career center, employment retention training, and financial literacy education. The name, of course, is based on the idea that each client receives one complete suit for a job interview, as well as additional clothing as she finds work. After securing employment, clients are invited to join the Professional Women’s Group for assistance with employment retention.
“Dress for Success San Francisco empowers women to secure employment, advance their career and change their lives and the lives of their families,” said Renée Surcouf, Executive Director of Dress for Success San Francisco. “Our organization provides a continuum of services so that we can address the needs of every woman at every stage of her career.”
Silent auction at a Dress for Success gala
In celebration of their twelfth year of advancing Bay Area women in the workforce, Dress for Success San Francisco will hold its annual fashion gala held at the San Francisco War Memorial Green Room on July 19th with the theme Success: You Wear It Well. This year’s gala will feature cocktails and tastings by top chefs (including Kim Alter of Nightbird, Rachel Aronow of The Alembic, Lori Baker of Bluestem Brasserie, Alicia Jenish-McCarron of Black Cat, Sharon Nahm of E&O Kitchen and Bar, Sophina Uong of Mestiza and Lisa Vega of Dandelion Chocolate), as well as music from DJ Page Hodel, silent and live auctions, and a fashion show featuring local brands Everlane and Margaret O’Leary. There will also be no shortage of stories of triumph.
Funds raised from the event will directly support Dress for Success San Francisco’s career programs. Admission prices range from $175 for Basic Black tickets up to $250 for VIP tickets, which includes a gift and gift bag. The Success Sponsorship package is $2,500 and includes eight tickets and all VIP benefits.
For tickets and sponsorship information you can visit this site.
