Dress for Success: Building Strong Women

It was high tea at its finest at the Terra Nova All-Suite Hotel, filled with beautiful intelligent women who make it their aim to assist their 'sistas' at the Annual Dress for Success Blooming Tea Party on International Women's Day, last Sunday

The women, like the initiative they support, were 'dressed for success'. They came out in their 'Sunday Best', accentuated by glamorous fascinators, fit to have tea with the Queen.

This seven-year-old charity, Dress for Success, assists young women who are entering the workforce to achieve their dreams. "Dress for Success is about the empowerment of women as we seek to provide our clients with that important suit for their first interview. This is done through our suiting programme and then we continue to mentor and provide training for them," states Minette Bryan one of the coordinators of the event in her opening remarks.

The charity also recently started an Image Training Centre where they mentor and train young women in soft skills such as etiquette and social graces. The funds from tea party will assist them to continue to dress the young women associated with the organisations that they work with which includes: UTech (University of Technology), UWI (University of the West Indies), HEART, Ministry of Labour and Social Security's Steps to work programme, Eve for Life, Women Crisis Centre, Ministry of Finance- Internship Program, St Joseph's Teacher College, National Youth Service and YUTE along with various churches across the island.

The patron for the night was none other than the glowing Senator Imani Duncan-Price. As women enjoyed tea from Twinings or Rum Cream from Sangsters, she gave them a breakdown of some of the setbacks women still face, which included under employment in certain areas and being under paid. However, she noted that women should help each other. "We have this belief that there is not enough for all of us. That is a lie. There is, so we do not have to tear each other down." This sentiment was reinforced by host Saudicka Diaram, who encouraged those present to turn to their neighbour and compliment them. And in a room where sisterly love was at an all-time high, these compliments were heart felt and not just lip service.

Throughout the evening guests were thoroughly entertained by Azuri Campbell with her blue's voice made all present feel like we were really listening to Billy Holiday singing God Bless the Child.

The team gave a presentation to the Charmaine Lewis who took up the initiative to start a local chapter.

There was a silent auction with prizes ranging from a fitness gift certificate from Core Fitness, gift basket from Sangsters to an array of paintings. It was an evening well spent celebrating women and supporting a worthy cause.