DRESS FOR SUCCESS
Dawn Matune provided the history behind the world wide Dress For Success (DFS) organization which has expanded beyond the original idea of providing attire for women returning to the work place. The global organization started as a non profit in New York in 1997. Dawn joined the Chicago branch in 2016 becoming the Director in 2022. The Chicago location has gone through massive changes and is due to become its own 501(c)3.
With a slide presentation, Dawn reviewed the challenges that women face in the workplace:
- coming from a wide variety of ethnicities, backgrounds, levels of education
- surviving or suffering due to pandemic income loss
- absence of sponsors, mentors, guides.
Of the population that DFS serves post-pandemic:
- 77% experienced job loss
- 75% suffered economic hardship
- 59% felt food insecurity
- 51% found their housing at risk.
DFS is now moving more toward helping women achieve economic independence. This will require providing educational programs and workshops in career coaching, networking, cohort-based learning. This moves beyond professional attire.
Issues such as child care and a search for corporate sponsors to lead topical education sessions are key.
The one Illinois location in Chicago has the following clientele:
- 55% are mothers
- 71% are head of household
- >40% are single
- 50% are below the poverty line
- 60% are women of color
- only approximately one third have a higher education
In spite of the above challenges, in 2022 57% of DFS Chicago clients secured a job interview and/or started a new job; 63% had established emergency savings.
Resilient is the word that best describes many of the women in the DFS organization who are now celebrating along with others Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day.