[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 37 (Tuesday, March 20, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E400]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     DRESS FOR SUCCESS: EMPOWERING WOMEN THROUGH CHARITABLE GIVING

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                    HON. JUANITA MILLENDER-McDONALD

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 20, 2001

  Ms. MILLENDER-McDONALD. Mr. Speaker, in keeping with the celebration 
of Women's History month, I rise to inform my colleagues and their 
constituents about a unique program, Dress for Success, designed to 
provide low-income women with appropriate dress clothing for job 
interviews.
  Dress for Success is a non-profit organization that helps low-income 
women to make the transition into the workforce. To assist in this 
transition, Dress for Success provides each of its clients with one 
business suit when they receive an interview and a second suit when 
they secure job placement. Most of these women are referred by 
organizations such as domestic violence shelters, job training 
programs, and programs for incarcerated women. To date, Dress for 
Success has provided suits to over 50,000 women.
  ``Clean Your Closet Week'' is its annual major business suit drive, 
and it is being observed during the period of March 17th--March 24th. 
This year ``Clean Your Closet Week'' will be celebrated in over 50 
cities in the United States. One of the drop off points may be in or 
near your district. I encourage you to inform your constituents about 
this worthy and important event so that more women can be aided with 
re-entry into the work force. To find the Dress for Success site 
nearest you, please visit their web site at www.dressforsuccess.org.
 Mr. Speaker, in closing, I ask my colleagues to explore how this 
program works to provide appropriate business attire to women, and how 
it acts to improve their self-esteem. This program promotes charitable 
giving to individuals in needs of assistance. We all aspire to dress 
for success, therefore, we should endeavor to help those who are less 
fortunate to realize their goals to look and feel their best.

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