Story Of A Suit

Our suits tell stories. During the past 10 years, over 35,000 "stories" have been told at The Career Wardrobe as we pass donated suits onto women just starting their journeys in the workforce. As we talked to women about The Career Wardrobe's 10th anniversary celebration, nearly everyone remembered that first interview suit: not only what it looked like, but how it empowered them to make the leap into the workforce. For some, the suit was so tied into their own success and such a powerful reminder of the point where their past merged with their future that decades later, it was still hanging in their closet. Each suit - like every woman we help - represents a tale of personal achievement, overcoming odds, perseverance and ultimately, opportunity. Each suit is a metaphor for the moment of change, when a woman is empowered to take control of her own life and destiny. Every suit has a past and a future, and like the working women we know…its own story.

Photographer: Jeffrey Holder of Jeffrey Holder Photography

The following community leaders, volunteers and former Career Wardrobe participants will be featured in our 10th Anniversary Story of a Suit Photography Exhibit, debuting this spring at Rosenfeld Gallery in Philadephia.

1. Qiana Baker, Quality Control Intern - West Philadelphia EARN Center
2. Shawn Ben, Marking Manager - American Realty Capital Markets
3. Sheri Cole, Executive Director - The Career Wardrobe
4. Pamela Crawley, Senior Vice President of Corporate Affairs - Citizens Bank
5. Jacqueline Gibson, Instructor - Philadelphia Workforce Development Corp.
6. Patricia Harless, Founding Board Member - The Career Wardrobe
7. Sherilynn Johnson Kimble, Executive Director - The Caring Center
8. Abby Siegel-Greenberg, Senior Account Executive -Philadelphia Business Journal
9. Mary Ann Smalls, Administrative Assistant - The Career Wardrobe
10. Leslie Mallow Wendell, President - Rosewood Consulting Group

Writers:

Tamala Edwards, Channel Six, Action News

Jill Porter, Philadelphia Daily News

Karin Phillips, KYW Newsradio Community Affairs Reporter

Carol Saline

Brenda Jorett, Senior Producer and Host, Morning Edition, WHYY-FM

Special thanks: Manna Catering Moore Brothers Wine Company Silicon Gallery Whole Foods Market, South Street Yasmine Ba, Manager, Eileen Fisher - Suburban Square

10th Anniversary Story of a Suit Committee Cari Feiler Bender, Chairwoman Lauren Bolen Robin Briggs Randi Carr Joan Gubernick Phoebe Kropp Wilhelmina McDaniel Lisa Loosen Mullen Jennifer Pine Sara Robins Erica Spizzirri

The Career Wardrobe is proud to be a founding member of: