The Philadelphia Chapter of The Links Inc. lends ongoing support to Dress for Success and most recently held a special community service event in support of this initiative. “Our chapter was proud to provide clothing and inspirational messages to women who are working to become self sufficient. It was exciting and rewarding to help to empower these women during Women’s History month,” Sherilynn Johnson Kimble, Philadelphia Chapter president said. “This project provides an opportunity to help transform lives,” she added.

As the founding chapter of The Links Inc., members heard the call and accepted the charge to support Dress for Success. The chapter collected more than 50 pieces of professional apparel, primarily business suits and donations were presented directly to Dress for Success’ Pennsylvania executive team at the downtown Philadelphia corporate office.

Other, current officers of the Philadelphia Chapter Links Inc. are: vice president, Stephanie Watkins; corresponding secretary, Mahlene Duckett Lee; recording secretary, Alexia Hudson; financial secretary, Catherine Broach and treasurer, Diedre Patterson.

Although professional attire is the most visible part of Dress for Success, the most notable successes of the program are intangible. Women, who succeed in the program, do so because of the cornerstone program goal of confidence building. The intangible accomplishments are recognized as one’s journey towards economic independence; remaining employed and building a rewarding career and becoming self-sufficient. Participants have incredible stories describing their journeys. Dress for Success wardrobe donations help to provide both internal and external values and rewards of beauty, strength and commitment.

The Links Inc. is an international, not-for-profit corporation, established in 1946. The membership consists of 12,000 professional women of color in 274 chapters located in 42 states, the District of Columbia and the Commonwealth of the Bahamas. It is one of the nation’s oldest and largest volunteer service organizations of women who are committed to enriching, sustaining and ensuring the culture and economic survival of African Americans and other persons of African ancestry. The Philadelphia Chapter of The Links Inc. is the founding chapter of the organization.

Founded in 1997, Dress for Success is an international not-for-profit organization offering services designed to help newly-employed woman build a professional wardrobe and financial security. Dress for Success has served more than 550,000 women around the world. “The mission of Dress for Success is to promote the economic independence of disadvantaged women by providing professional attire, a network of support and the career development tools to help women thrive in work and in life.

Members of the Philadelphia Chapter of The Links Inc. Dress for Success committee: Mahlene Duckett Lee, Frances M. Jones, Tonya Brown, Mitzi Lawrence, Brenda Johnson Best, Eastern Area Officer, Sherilynn Johnson Kimble, Teri Lee, Autumn Atkins Graves, Ellyn Jo Waller, Mariska Bogle and the entire chapter are commended for their continued, outstanding service to the Philadelphia Community.