I was honored to emcee Dress For Success Hampton Roads‘ 4th annual Suits and Salad luncheon today.

Nicole emceeing Dress For Success luncheon

It’s an organization that’s close to my heart. I’ve donated suits, jewelry and other accessories for a few years now.  Dress For Success provides business attire and career development tools for economically disadvantaged women.   It also prides itself on instilling empowerment, self-sufficiency and sustainability in women.

Gia Percell sharing her personal Dress For Success story

One of those women is Gia Percell. She spoke to guests at the luncheon at the Chesapeake Conference Center.  She told the crowd that she got married at nineteen and was a single mom of two by her early twenties.  She said she escaped an abusive relationship and battled alcoholism and struggled to get back into the workforce until Dress For Success helped her get on the right path.  She’s now a successful administrative assistant in Hampton Roads.

April Spring, FOXERS founder

The keynote speaker, April Spring, founded FOXERS lingerie.  Her line is sold online and in department stores across the country.  She has all types of cute and funky girls’ boxers (and there’s now some stuff for guys).  She spoke to the crowd about how hard work and resilience, not luck got her going on her business.

Dress For Success Suits & Salad luncheon, Chesapeake

The guests included women and men who work in retail, government, and small business owners.  There was a raffle that raised a few hundred dollars.

Dress For Success raffle items

Items included FOXERS lingerie, a cashmere wrap and blanket, and a one night stay at the Sheraton Waterside.

Special awards were presented to Zoots dry cleaners, Retail Alliance and Rowena Fullinwider of Rowena’s for their special time and dedication to Dress For Success.  If you have the time, talent, suits or money to donate to Dress For Success they would be happy to hear from you.