By: Esther White

Uncharacteristically chipper for an early Saturday morning, 12 Entrepreneurship for the Public Good (EPG) ladies loaded up a van and headed out to Cincinnati March 4th for an exciting shopping experience at Dress for Success and the 4th Street Boutique. Professor Debbi Brock, co-director of the EPG program, coordinated the trip for each of the EPG Fellows to receive professional suits for their upcoming internships.

Dress for Success is a national program that provides suits to women who are entering the work force. Clients usually receive their first suit prior to the job interview and another suit after being hired. Each lady receives personal attention from an associate whose job is to ensure a good fit, nice look, and major confidence boost before sending her client out into the business world. Sarah Coram ’06 said, “Dress for Success does amazing work. It is a generous and life-long gift that they give to women by helping them see themselves as respectable and beautiful. I felt so welcomed there, like I was important, which isn't something that one can find in most businesses and stores.” Cindie Mills ’06 also considered the opportunity a positive experience. “I did not expect the amount of kindness and attention that I received from the consultants at Dress for Success. They made me feel welcome and valued.”

Cincinnati’s Dress for Success boutique was started in 1999 by Mary Ivers and has provided new suits to over 3000 women. Those who return for a second suit may also join the organization’s Professional Women’s Group, which offers two seminars weekly that help its 65 members in dealing with the responsibilities, social etiquette and human relations involved in navigating the world of business. Currently, the program is dressing an average of 85 women a month. Ivers, a former entrepreneur started 4th Street Boutique as an earned income venture to support the efforts of the nonprofit organization.

“The students looked beautiful”, commented Debbi Brock, “it was such a wonderful opportunity to see the women’s faces shine as they stood in front of the mirror gazing at the new professional suit. The confidence that Dress for Success provides is not simply a suit, a purse and a string of pearls, but the confidence they build in women to succeed.”