New attire helps clients put best foot forward

SUFFOLK

The room is like a walk-in closet, with two rows of blouses, jackets, skirts and dress pants hanging on a long wall. Don't like pinstripes? No problem. Pastel pieces are there and so is basic black.

No matter the style or color, all will become "power suits" once they're in the hands of financially strapped women across Hampton Roads. This clothing collection belongs to Dress for Success Hampton Roads, the local affiliate of an international nonprofit organization that helps disadvantaged women reach economic independence.

Active in Norfolk for the past three years, the organization has formed a cooperative agreement with the Suffolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority and will soon begin "suiting" residents in need. City officials, business leaders and others can learn more at a meet-and-greet event from 6 to 7:30 p.m. tonight at the Suffolk Museum.

Dress for Success Hampton Roads gives clients the confidence boost they need to land a long-term job and return to self-sufficiency, said executive director Debra Dandridge. So far, nearly 500 local women have received free professional attire, career development training and the opportunity to network through the organization's Professional Women's Group.

"The way out of poverty and low-paying jobs is education and a career," Dandridge said.

Norfolk resident Gia Percell said she had "a little bit more ammunition" at interviews when she donned her Dress for Success business clothing - "a fantastic double-breasted suit," of tan wool. She felt good about herself, and it showed.

A freelance hair stylist and makeup artist for seven years, Percell decided to re-enter the corporate world for more financial stability. The 36-year-old single mom was hired about a year ago as an accounts payable clerk/general cashier assistant at the Sheraton Norfolk Waterside Hotel.

Dress for Success has taught her to prepare for the future and give herself room to grow professionally, she said.

"It's not just putting a suit on you and saying 'OK, see you later,' " Percell said. "They're following up on you."

Dandridge and co-founder Antionette Haynes envision the organization branching out to the other six cities of Hampton Roads now that it's more established. Eventually, they would like to open a satellite office in Suffolk and staff it with volunteers.

Dress for Success only accepts clients through referrals from nonprofit organizations, job-training programs and other agencies. The organization receives new suits through a partnership with Dress Barn, and other gently used pieces - no more than a couple years old - are donated by the public.

"It's about empowerment and the women feeling great," Dandridge said. "And you just can't do that with a suit from 1980."

Hattie Brown Garrow, (757) 222-5562, hattie.brown@pilotonline.com