DFSA Dialogues: Jemimah Ngari
“It was once said that when you empower women, you empower the entire nation, and I could see that there.”
On September 15th of this year, Dress for Success (DFS) celebrated its 25th year changing the lives of women worldwide. DFSWW (worldwide) flew several global ambassadors from DFS affiliate offices to its headquarters in New York, where they explored the city and DFSWW central office and attended the 25th-anniversary celebratory gala as honored guests.
DFS invited Dress for Success Austin’s (DFSA) very own Jemimah Ngari as an outstanding global client ambassador and representative for the Austin branch. We asked Jemimah to share her unique experience. Despite her busy schedule, she immediately committed to coming down for an interview at our new office.
The morning of the interview, though she had just driven through troublesome traffic from Killeen to Austin, Jemimah entered the office with an unmistakable charm and burning enthusiasm for Dress for Success. She glowed as we reminisced about her time with DFSA. Her appreciation for the organization flowed throughout the interview and long after. We continued speaking about the endless impact of DFS’s guidance. She shared photos of the 25th-anniversary trip, her beautiful family, and her home — a wonderful life that she attributed to her decision to walk through the DFSA doors many years ago.
In our interview, we discuss Jemimah’s journey with DFSA and explore her time at the 25th-anniversary conference before, finally, reflecting on what DFS means for women worldwide. Our conversation has been edited and condensed.
Q: Jemimah, thank you so much for driving down today. When you got here, we spoke a bit about your experience at the Dress for Success 25th-anniversary celebration. You mentioned that it was a wonderful way to commemorate how far you've come in your journey. Tell me about your journey with Dress for Success Austin and how it's evolved.
A: When I think about my journey with DFSA, I think about what brings people here. Everybody gets here from a certain point of pain or hurt, so when we speak about the journey, we shouldn't focus on individual trauma that might have brought us here. I like to focus on the journey starting from when I came to DFSA because that is when everything just turned around.
When I first came to DFSA, about six or seven years ago, I didn't know what to expect because I was referred by another agency here, and they said, "Okay, we have counseled you for your experience, but now we need to link you up with resources that can take you to the next level," which was career development. I was introduced to DFSA and went through the career center and into a program called the "Going Places Network*.” The GPN prepares you to brand yourself, establish your strengths, and position yourself in the job market. That's what I needed because I did need to take care of my family. You know, I had a career in Kenya, but when I came to America, I didn't know where or how to start building a new career. DFSA helped me, and even before I completed the program, I got my current job.
*Going Places Network was an earlier iteration of DFSA’s current Path to Employment mentoring program.
Q: What is your current job?
A: I work for talent acquisition at a company called NTT Data, but at the time we were in DELL. So, I got my job as a DELL contractor, and they later sold our group to this company. Once I got my job, I joined the Professional Women's Group because I then needed to be prepared to develop my career and learn how to negotiate for salaries and promotions… all those things. Of course, we continued to explore emotional things, as well. We could explore many things because they brought people to talk to us about the topics we requested. We, the women in the group, wanted to grow in our careers, but also as people. I also got to talk to many women who were coming from the place that I was coming from. Different circumstances, but we were in this together. We were sharing our experiences and growing together. That's why I like the Professional Women's Group.
Q: How did the support from the group and DFSA help you develop your career from there?
A: I feel like coming here has given me a springboard to success. The support and kindness I've received… the love from volunteers, the staff, and even the ladies in the group with me… I've felt very empowered by this support, and this is what has driven me. I felt like I could, so I did. A lot of times that's used as a cliche, but for me, it's very real. I went back to school. When I came, I had an associate's degree, so I completed my bachelor's and master's degrees.
Q: What are your degrees in?
A: My undergraduate degree is in behavioral health science because I'm intrigued by human behavior. My master's degree is in industrial and organizational psychology because I just want to help people in a work setting, as opposed to a clinical one. When you meet people at work, these are the same people who attend therapy and deal with other things outside of work. Getting to help and deal with them in a work setting is still important, and that's what I wanted.
I graduated with my master's degree last year in October, and at the time I was a single mother, working, going to school, and still involved with DFSA. I think being with DFSA helped me to manage my other areas of life. Part of this was my ability to take financial literacy classes. Remember, I came here not knowing anything about credit or the financial systems. I needed to learn how to manage these things. I built my credit using the information I learned in the financial literacy classes. I can tell you I'm creditworthy because I bought a house recently.
I tell these stories not to brag, but to tell other people what DFSA has done for me and can do for them. I want to encourage people in difficult situations to come out and try to build something with DFSA. I also want to encourage people to continue to give to the organization and let those who have already given know that they have touched so many people with what they have done. It's not just the people who come to DFSA, either. My children have been affected by it because I've been able to improve their quality of life by being empowered in this way.
Q: You mentioned that PWG taught you how to advocate for yourself. How has that skill contributed to your current career?
A: Well, once I finished my master's program, I was able to say, "Hey, this is who I am. These are the opportunities that I need.” I found a position where I work remotely, so I can stay with my children when they need me and have flexibility in my schedule for emergencies and normal life expectancies. I've become so empowered, now I'm vocal about advocating for myself and my children. I'm proud to tell you I have an upcoming interview for a position where I can use my degree and still receive the benefits and flexibility I need. I've felt empowered to take action in these ways because of DFSA. Had I not come to them, how would I be able to navigate a foreign country with two children? When I got somebody to hold my hand, to support me, to show me and encourage me — that made all the difference. Bottom line: that support means all the difference in the world for many women.
Q: Were you able to experience this same sense of support when you traveled to New York City for the DFS 25th-anniversary celebration?
A: It was once said that when you empower women, you empower the entire nation, and I could see that there. Everybody came together as a symbol of encouragement for each other and our loved ones. When the global ambassadors met, we shared similar stories, though we were all from quite different places. I felt that sense of community and also a sense of honor in standing among these women as a representative for DFSA. Looking back, I remember thinking, "Oh my god, this is where I am now." I felt honored to be there celebrating the 25 years of DFS’s success, and even my success as a result of being with the organization. I remember thinking that what's happening now will have a ripple effect and impact generations to come, so I am very grateful for this organization and everybody in it.
Q: We continuously reference the organization itself. How did the DFSWW team make you feel throughout this celebration?
A: You know, they made us feel very special because they booked the flights, the hotel — everything was ready for us. They'd given us money for transport to and from the airport. All I needed to do was to show up at the airport and get on the plane. When I got to the hotel, I noticed they had even gotten us gifts!
Q: What were they?
A: They gave us makeup, beautiful handbags, jewelry, and so many small assorted gifts. That was so amazing, just to see how much they appreciated us. They also set a trip for us to visit the New York Stock Exchange.
Q: Wow, how did that feel?
A: I thought about how I'd always seen it on TV, and now I was standing inside it. It felt so amazing, and we ended up receiving a gold coin as memorabilia. From there, they invited us to the bell-ringing ceremony, which is big. We were all there cheering and feeling very special and very well-appreciated and supported.
From there, we had some free time and were able to hang out with other global ambassadors and get to know each other. We had breakfast with each other and got to visit Times Square with the staff of DFS. We appeared on one of the screens in the square, and it was beautiful. It was a very awesome experience.
Right after that, we went to the 25th-anniversary celebration ball. The building was very old and magnificent. I felt like Cinderella at the ball. They sent us dresses to choose from for the event.
When I got there, I also noticed that the centerpieces for the tables were our pictures, with our stories on the back. They made the whole event about us and celebrated us. That made me feel so good and special. It made me think of how far I'd come. I'd never even been to New York, and there I was being celebrated.
Q: Client ambassadors contribute as much to the continued success and celebration of DFS as DFS does for them. Could you speak to the role of a client ambassador?
A: I think it's a very honorable position to be in because we tell our story. Not everybody can do that. When you tell your story, you are telling every other woman's story. We might come from different circumstances, but we have been dressed for success in the same ways. I do not mean just clothes. They empower your whole person to achieve success.
I remember when I came the first time and got a suiting. I felt so confident. They dress you in confidence that you carry with you. If you have that confidence with you, there is no stopping you. To touch those who give, to touch those who are stuck, and to encourage those who are on the journey with you – that's what being an ambassador is for. We are all ambassadors, truly, but to be bestowed with the title is an honor and responsibility to your fellow women. You hold a position where you are advancing the cause.
DFS trusts you with this responsibility and listens to your concerns as a member of the organization. I got a chance to meet the new CEO of DFS worldwide, Michele Myer-Shipp. She was very accessible. We could just talk with the higher-ups of the organization. I remember when we were in Times Square, there was another group celebrating their tenth year, Latinas on the Verge of Excellence. I was speaking with the group and was curious about their mission. I found out they worked with young women, teenagers, and children to prepare them for successful careers. I thought, "Oh my god, this is an opportunity to bridge the gap. With these two groups, we can help a whole spectrum of women." So, I went to Michele and talked to her about collaborating with them. She was very receptive, and they exchanged information.
Q: I'm excited to see where that partnership goes. She seems like an incredibly caring individual. Have you had similar experiences across the board with DFS worldwide staff?
A: Yes, she was very caring! Everyone who works with DFS has shown that they are. At the ball, I saw the former CEO, Joi Gordon, who I had met three years prior at DFSA’s Little Black Dress Soirée. We took a picture at that event, and I showed her the photo at the ball. We remembered and laughed together and took another picture. It was an emotional experience for both of us, and she hugged me so tightly and was so warm.
Then we heard from the woman who started DFS, Nancy Lublin. She gave a speech, and I had goosebumps. I’ll tell you, it was an out-of-body experience. And the funny thing is, I didn't get to see any of that when I first walked through the doors at DFSA. I had only the hope given to me by the kind volunteers and staff. They make the boutique so that it feels special, like you are shopping in a nice store with a personal stylist – and it's free! They've thought about how to make women feel special, and they do that.
You know, when I came from Kenya, I had only a few clothes I could bring for and my children and me. There is no seasonal attire in Kenya like there is here, so I had to get all new clothes for my children but could not afford to get any for myself. As a mother who was expending all her energy trying to survive and protect, I was finally able to feel special through DFSA. DFS as an organization has a culture of love and hope. Every other global ambassador had the same narrative of love and support.
It's not even necessarily about career preparation. What they can train you in is extremely important, but they are not going to take me through college and do my work for me. What they can do is love and support me so well I feel I can succeed. I think that's the basis of every human being. Love is all that can turn a hopeless situation around so that you no longer feel it's hopeless.
Q: What beautiful insight into this organization. It sounds like you have a lot of personal wisdom to share. Before we end today, is there a specific mentality or mindset that helped you on your journey?
A: Yes, in fact, I wanted to say that you have to want this help. You can get help and still not utilize the resources. To be helped, you have to want it. You have to have a growth mindset and commit to yourself and your journey. I knew where I wanted to be and how I wanted to grow, I just needed someone to guide me. Open yourself up to this experience and love — it can change your life.