In this issue we are shining a deserving light on Dress for Success Oregon (DFSO) & one of its founders & past Executive Director for the Oregon Chapter, Barb Attridge. Barb, happily retired for the last several years, is also a wonderful, long-time client & friend of The Difference & works with Personal Stylist Nicole Cameron.
In Barb’s early life she was a trained CPA. While she was successful in her career, she felt the pull to do something she was passionate about. In 1998, Barb met Karen Fishel, another successful Portland-area businesswoman, who also had a yearning to do something more. It was kismet – the two became fast friends who shared similar goals & each brought their own unique gifts to the table. Dress for Success was founded in the Harlem area of New York in 1997 by Nancy Lubin. The objective was to grow the organization & Portland soon became eighth city to join. Barb & Karen initially began to run DFSO out of Karen’s house in 1999. Taking money out of their own savings & filing as a nonprofit, they leased a small space (900 sq. ft.) in NW Portland the following year. Through determination & hustle, they were able to partner with other nonprofits helping women & onboarded other organizations to sign on to support DFSO’s mission. DFSO grew to what it is now because of the vision of Barb & Karen to make a difference. Barb was recently recognized & honored at a celebration marking 25 years of successful operation in the Portland Metro Area,
Today, Dress for Success Oregon is the leading workforce development organization in Oregon that exclusively supports women & gender expansive folks, helping them find & retain work, support their families & achieve personal & economic independence. Since starting in 1997, the Dress for Success organization has expanded to 141 cities in 24 countries.
Well done, Barb! Thank you for being a shining example of someone who holds up so many other women. Your passion became a reality which continues to inspire & serve women for 25 years & counting.
The Difference is continuing its longstanding relationship to support the mission of DFSO with donations of new clothing items which directly benefits the people whom they serve. The mission of DFSO is to empower women to achieve economic independence by providing a network of support, professional attire & development tools to help women thrive in work & life. Every year, over 1,500 women from the greater Portland area are served by DFSO!
Look for upcoming opportunities to make a difference by donating your lightly worn women’s clothing items as we continue our support for Dress for Success Oregon.
