Local + Travel | Non-Profit Feature

Women Empowering Women

A local organization that empowers women on their journey to independence through education, interview skills, and wardrobe assistance.

Dress for Success Palm Beaches (DFSPB) is an affiliate of Dress For Success, a global organization founded in 1997 dedicated to empowering women on their journey to economic independence. They not only provide professional attire, but they also offer a range of tools and resources to support women for their personal and professional growth. To further enhance a woman’s journey to financial independence, DFSPB also provides free job readiness classes to ensure that women have all the support they need to succeed in the professional world.

Since its establishment in April 2010, the Palm Beaches chapter has played a vital role in supporting the women in the community, when at the time the poverty rate was 15%. Also serving Broward and Martin counties, DFSPB has positively impacted the lives of over 7,000 women. DFSPB carefully match- es its clients with volunteers who offer coaching for job interviews, help with resume writing, and guid- ance in navigating online job search platforms. This personalized support aims to boost the confidence of these women as they prepare to enter or re-enter the workforce. Additionally, the organization pro- vides comprehensive job readiness programs, both in person and online via Zoom, all provided at no charge.

In May 2021, Dress for Success Palm Beaches opened a satellite boutique in Belle Glade. This does allow for DFSPB’s reach to extend to an underserved part of Palm Beach County and to expand their capabilities to more of the area.

Above: A Dress for Success Volunteer Personal Stylist helps a client make wardrobe selections.

Beyond the Suit

Finding a professional outfit can be such an emo- tional journey for women.

The signature service at Dress for Success Palm Beaches is the Suiting Program where women of all ages can obtain what they need for a job interview— from clothing to confidence! Essential wardrobe items fill their boutiques and are graciously donated by individuals, companies, and retailers. Volunteer personal stylists also assist all of the clients in their selection of the perfect interview outfit. All donat- ed items must be new or gently used, suitable for a job interview, and clean. In addition to clothing, DFSPB also accepts accessories like jewelry, hand- bags, shoes, makeup, beauty essentials, and under- garments. Contributions truly help make a world of difference to someone in need.

DFSPB support goes beyond helping women look and feel their best for interviews. They also provide career advice and have routine discussions on work- er rights, financial literacy, co-worker relations, and stress management even after a client is successfully hired. The support doesn’t stop there. Once a client is officially hired, they will receive a complimentary full work-week wardrobe.

The organization faces challenges in continuing its mission, but they confront these challenges head-on. Led by CEO Joe Ann Fletcher, a staff of 4, a board of 15, and countless volunteers are the ones who see that the goals that were set out at the beginning are met.

Without volunteers, Dress for Success Palm Beaches could not succeed. Teamwork makes the dream work, and volunteers are essential to helping DFSPB thrive. A collaborative effort is crucial in achieving their goals, and the dedicated volunteers play an important role in ensuring the continued success of DFSPB. Most volunteers are women in the workforce who want to give back and those who have already retired from business life. They juggle multiple roles, such as mentorship, personal shopping, and career counseling, while actively assisting in various fundraising initiatives.

Funding Dress for Success Palm Beaches

Fundraising is a part of their mission that will always have a need. DFSPB does a couple of big events throughout the year. One is a Shop For Success Pop-Up Shop, which is a three-day bargain exhibition featuring designer labels and other donated fashions that don’t meet the criteria for the DFSPB boutiques. This event is held 3-4 times annually. The other big event is the Style for Hope Luncheon & Gala. This event, held every year in early March, honors DFSPB success stories, a volunteer of the year, and a renowned Style Icon with ties to the local community. This event brings together corporate South Florida and women of distinction. Established in 2019, the Style Icon Award honors fashion and style trailblazers aligned with DFSPB’s mission.

Previous honorees include Lilly Pulitzer, Iris Apfel, Josie Natori, Badgley Mischka, and Tommy Hilfiger with Dee Ocleppo Hilfiger. If you want to plan for 2025, the next Style for Hope Luncheon & Gala is set for Friday, March 7, 2025, and the 2025 Style Icon will be Bobbi Brown, Founder of Jones Road Beauty and renowned makeup artist.

Dress for Success Palm Beaches envisions a world where the power of women is fully harnessed, and their contributions are recognized as essential to economic sustainability. Their vision includes creating an environment where women can obtain better and safer futures. By empowering women, Dress for Success Palm Beaches aims to foster a more inclusive and prosperous society where gender equality and economic stability go hand in hand.

Visit dressforsuccesspb.org/volunteer/ to find out more information on how you can help Dress for Success Palm Beaches continue to empower women.