Dress For Success (organization)

Dress for Success is a global nonprofit organization that provides professional attire for low-income women, to help support their job-search and interview process. The organization was founded in 1997[1] by Nancy Lublin, and has since spread from Harlem, New York City, to almost 145 cities in the United States and twenty other countries.[2] The organization reached about 45,000 clients each year in 2006,[3] and, as of 2017, has helped over 925,000 women.[4] The parent organization's current CEO is Joi Gordon.[5]

The organization's approach is based on social research suggesting that suitable attire is important to "impression formation", which in turn impacts job prospects.[6] However, its approach has also been criticized by researchers, who found that the "benevolence of affluent volunteers serves to reinforce class and race superiority while producing moments of genuine care and connection." [7]

Now a global organization, Dress for Success Worldwide supports its programs through a combination of grants, government funding, fundraising events and campaigns.[8] In 2013, the parent organization received over $17 million in funding, more than 99% of which came from direct contributions by individuals, corporations, and non-governmental organizations.[9] Dress for Success has received ongoing funding ($7 million USD) through a partnership with the Walmart Foundation, which funded a skills-development program (“Going Places Network by Walmart”).[10]

References
  1. "Nancy Lublin, founder of Dress for Success". National Public Radio. October 21, 2010.
  2. "Dress for Success: Giving women attire and tools for self-sufficiency". palmbeachpost. Retrieved 2017-05-23.
  3. Groff, Seniye (2006). "Exploring the value and impact of diversity training for a female-oriented nonprofit". Performance Improvement. 45 (7): 30–34. doi:10.1002/pfi.2006.4930450707.
  4. "Dress for Success: Giving women attire and tools for self-sufficiency". palmbeachpost. Retrieved 2017-05-23.
  5. Bell, Linda (2016-02-23). "FOX Front to Black: Joi Gordon, CEO of Dress for Success Worldwide". FOX Business. Retrieved 14 March 2016.
  6. Turner-Bowker, Diane M. (2001). "How Can You Pull Yourself up by Your Bootstraps, if You Don't Have Boots? Work-Appropriate Clothing for Poor Women". Journal of Social Issues. 57 (2): 311–322. doi:10.1111/0022-4537.00215.
  7. Cummins, Emily R.; Blum, Linda M. (October 2015). ""Suits To Self-Sufficiency" Dress for Success and Neoliberal Maternalism". Gender & Society. 29 (5): 623–646. doi:10.1177/0891243215591949.
  8. "Dress for Success Worldwide". Charity Navigator. Retrieved 14 March 2016.
  9. "2013 990 Document". Guidestar.org. Guidestar. Retrieved 21 March 2016.
  10. "New $2.5 Million Grant from the Walmart Foundation Allows Dress for Success to Expand Career Development Services for Unemployed and Underemployed Women [Press Release]". Dress For Success. 2015. Retrieved 14 March 2016.
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