DFSA visits New York! Affiliate Conference & New DEIAB Statement

Last month, our small but mighty team spent a few days in New York City for the Dress for Success Annual Affiliate Leadership Conference! Over the course of four days, we met with Dress for Success affiliates from around the world and brought home plenty of ideas that will fuel our organization and the women we serve into 2023 and beyond.

During the conference, DFSA’s own Director of Development Laurie Annear presented to attendees. She showcased how Austin is leading the way in accessibility with a revamped brand kit, improving both our social media and website. Laurie also highlighted our Circle of Impact membership which has grown to include a tight knit community of loyal and passionate individuals who help raise awareness for DFSA initiatives. The presentation gave Austin a platform to share the wonderful work we do and how this can inspire other affiliates to do the same.

Leading the conference, was Dress for Success CEO Michele C. Meyer-Shipp who the team got to meet and mingle with alongside other attendees. She even joined some of our sessions as a guest and moderator! Michele took on the role of CEO in February 2022. This was her first conference and opportunity to meet face-to-face with everyone under one roof.

At the Awards Ceremony, we congratulated a neighbor to our Texas affiliate, Lori and her team at Dress for Success New Orleans. She received one of only three Lublin Awards out of over 140+ cities who are a part of the Dress for Success network. Austin was also recognized as one of the affiliates celebrating our 20th anniversary in May!

Our conference was centered around themes of diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, and belonging. This topic was discussed across various sessions, but also as a priority going into 2023 with a new DEIAB statement, noted below. One of the attendees even mentioned the clothing we wear as a form of expression to one’s identity and self. Saying that, “clothes are our armor, an aesthetic vibration of ourselves.” This alongside other factors contribute to one’s personal identification and what truly empowers the women we serve.

Dress for Success’ Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Accessibility & Belonging (DEIAB)

Dress for Success is a global agent of change that provides professional and personal support to unemployed and underemployed women, especially in communities in which women are most vulnerable. We are driven by the belief that when we strive to empower women, we also positively impact their families and communities. We uphold the idea that financial independence underpins women’s freedom and ability to thrive in a world that has traditionally given them fewer opportunities.

As a demonstration of our commitment, at Dress for Success we do not tolerate any form of discrimination or harassment. We strive to create an environment where every woman has full access to our resources, is seen, heard, respected, and feels safe, especially those who are most vulnerable. We know that wounds can last a lifetime, and as such, we offer professional, personal, and community support.

We understand that every community faces its own challenges and has its own goals. We thus think globally to gain a broad perspective, and act locally to focus on the specific needs of each individual group of women. Our clients help to strengthen their families and become leaders in their communities, as our programming places them on a path to increased success where they live, learn, and work.

We embrace the values of diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, and belonging (DEIAB). We understand how pervasive inequities underlie the many constraints women face that challenge their efforts to further their education, connect to appropriate resources, and find stable and fulfilling jobs.

We welcome and serve all women regardless of age, ethnicity, race, nationality, socioeconomic background, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, differing abilities and/or military status. We strive to meet all women where they are whether unemployed or underemployed; both cisgender and transgender; living without homes, having been previously incarcerated, having overcome addiction, having been subjected to abuse or trafficking, or cultural bias. We believe all women deserve access to resources, stable employment, a network of support, and sustainable financial independence.