| WORCESTER _ Recently nine business students from Westborough High School (WHS) were treated to a very unique event, the First Annual Dinner Celebration for Dress for Success Worcester. The students were at the fundraising gala thanks to a donation by FLIC® (Female Leadership Council).
The mission of Dress for Success is to promote the economic independence of disadvantaged women by providing professional attire, a network of support and the career development tools to help women thrive in work and in life.
“FLIC® was founded to help women pay-it-forward through mentorship. Our philosophy of paying-it-forward sets the tone for everything we do. Providing the girls with this opportunity helped build awareness for another organization that believes in helping women and gave the girls the chance to experience the power of women in the community committed to making a difference,” said FLIC® Founder, Deborah Penta. “We were so pleased the girls had a great time and a new learning experience!”
The fundraising event, “From Suits to Self-Sufficiency” offered attendees a silent auction, raffles, dinner and entertainment. Guest speaker for the event was Joi Gordon, CEO of Dress for Success Worldwide. Gordon, a former New York prosecutor, told the audience how she learned about Dress for Success and how it changed here life.
“Joi Gordon had a huge impact on me. She articulated that by doing one good thing, it can lead you down a path to making significant changes in other peoples’ lives. I also learned that one can make a difference by doing one small act of kindness,” said WHS student Thera Slayton. “By donating one suit to Dress for Success, women have a better chance of getting jobs and are able to support their families better than they ever would have dreamed.”
“This charity is a wonderful idea and can truly help women not just get by, but in the long run, improve their life,” said WHS student Madison McGourty.
Added WHS student Chandler Freitas, “I realized that it’s not just a suit you’re giving them, it’s a boost of confidence and hope. I plan to get myself, my family, and my friends to donate to this organization.”
According to WHS business teacher Darrell Potosnak, she and her students will be collecting professional women’s attire during the month of November and December. All items must be in excellent condition and less than three years old.
“If anyone is interested in making a clothing donation they can contact me at potosnad@westborough.k12.ma.us,” Potosnak said.
“Darrell is a wonderful role model for her students. She continually sets an example of how they can get more involved in their communities. Over the years, we have had the opportunity to work with Darrell in providing various experiential learning opportunities for her classes and it’s wonderful that she is always very interested, engaged and committed to making a difference in their lives,” Penta said.
FLIC® is a non-profit organization founded on the principles of female leadership, mentoring and the belief that when you can help someone else succeed, you personally grow and prosper. The Council’s mission is to provide educational instruction to women to assist in developing their capabilities in the business world, which will increase the likelihood that their successes will benefit the community. For more information on FLIC®, visit www.femaleleaders.org.
Dress for Success was founded in New York City in 1997 and is an international not-for-profit organization offering services to help women find jobs and remain employed. Each Dress for Success client receives one suit when she has her job interview and can return for a second suit or separates when she finds work. Since its inception, the organization has served over 500,000 women around the world. For more information on Dress for Success visit www.Dressforsuccess.org/Worcester.
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