How A Woman Used Her $5,000 Inheritance To Help 700,000 Women
REUTERS/Miguel Vidal
In 1997, Nancy Lublin founded Dress for Success with a $5,000 inheritance from her grandfather.The non-profit, helps underprivileged women get on their feet and get back to work with a new suit and services to help them in their new careers.
Now, Dress for Success has served more than 700,000 women around the world in 13 different countries.
This weekend, Dress for Success CEO Joi Gordon and the original Skinnygirl Bethenny Frankel are teaming up for the third annual Shop for Success event; a sample sale in NYC that takes merchandise donated by top designers and brands and sells it for up to 70% off.
100% of the proceeds go to Dress for Success, and the women who need it most.
The event is the brainchild of Young Executives for Success (Y.E.S!), the volunteer branch of the non-profit, led by a handful of New York City's most talented women in various professions. Alexis Beechen is the president of Y.E.S! and has been a part the event since it began in 2011.
This year brands like Coach, Marc Jacobs, and Vince have donated to the event, which takes place this weekend at the Metropolitan Pavilion. Beechen says lots of brands are quick to donate year after year because they understand how important Dress for Success is to the lives of women it serves.
"Last year we were able to raise $75,000 for women who benefit from the wonderful programs Dress for Success provides. This year with Bethenny and Skinnygirl we expect to raise even more," Beechen said.
You can learn more about Dress for Success and the Shop for Success event here.