Florida Senate - 2016 (NP) SR 1720 By Senator Benacquisto 30-01827-16 20161720__ 1 Senate Resolution 2 A resolution recognizing Dress for Success for helping 3 women worldwide succeed in the workplace and in life 4 since 1997. 5 6 WHEREAS, Dress for Success is a global not-for-profit 7 organization that promotes the economic independence of 8 disadvantaged women by providing professional attire, a network 9 of support, and career development tools that help women thrive 10 in the workplace and in life, and 11 WHEREAS, in 1997, a second-year law student, Nancy Lublin, 12 received a $5,000 inheritance from her great-grandfather and, 13 seeking a way to make this gift have an enduring effect, founded 14 Dress for Success in the basement of a church in Manhattan, and 15 WHEREAS, from that original basement boutique, the mission 16 of Dress for Success spread across all of North America and then 17 worldwide, demonstrating that achieving economic independence is 18 a challenge that all women face regardless of their location, 19 language, customs, or culture, and 20 WHEREAS, since 1997, Dress for Success has expanded to more 21 than 140 cities in 20 countries and has helped more than 850,000 22 women work toward self-sufficiency, and 23 WHEREAS, the organization thrives on the dedication of 24 volunteers in the community, and, each year, more than 10,000 25 women and men around the globe generously donate their time and 26 talents to help women find employment, and 27 WHEREAS, Dress for Success affiliates receive client 28 referrals from more than 5,000 diverse nonprofit and 29 governmental agencies, which include homeless shelters, 30 immigration services, job training programs, educational 31 institutions, and domestic violence shelters, and 32 WHEREAS, there are currently six stand-alone Dress for 33 Success boutiques in this state, which, collectively, have 34 helped more than 24,000 women achieve economic stability since 35 2005, and 36 WHEREAS, Dress for Success and its affiliates are committed 37 to helping all women, regardless of race, ethnicity, or 38 background, make a fresh start and achieve their professional 39 and personal goals, NOW, THEREFORE, 40 41 Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of Florida: 42 43 That Dress for Success is recognized for helping women 44 worldwide succeed in the workplace and in life since 1997. 45 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution, with 46 the Seal of the Senate affixed, be presented to Dress for 47 Success and each of the six Florida affiliate chapters as a 48 tangible token of the sentiments of the Florida Senate.