Threads: Weaving together the stories of women from across the globe

This month Dress for Success Worldwide unveiled Threads, our first ever coffee table book that features the firsthand success journeys of 20 women from around the world. It is our first ever published collection of client stories, complemented with the stunning imagery of world-renowned photographer Danielle Levitt.

The concept of Threads comes from the idea that, together, each woman’s experience forms a fabric of support, of women helping women, of shared challenges and achievements. Her individual thread is woven into others, forming an undeniable worldwide bond.

Dress for Success curated the stories of these particular confident and courageous women because they all came to the organization in a time of need but have since transformed into influential leaders, continuing to inspire other women who share their challenges and achievements.

Amongst these stories is Vancouver’s very own Genevieve Sechter. Genevieve’s story represents the experiences and emotions that embody many women in our city, and around the world. In providing a local narrative to these experiences, Genevieve is reminding each woman that she is part of a bigger story and has a greater purpose. Her story is one of the 20 shared in this book in an effort to provide a tangible representation of the stories we often share with all of you.

Sharing these stories is important for several reasons. Firstly, it provides readers with an insight into the ways in which these success stories can materialize in different ways. Each woman’s story is unique, but still offers a relatable anecdote to remind us that we are not alone in our journey.



The power of women helping women can be seen at the Dress for Success Vancouver office

In having these stories altogether in one book, we are empowering these women and many others like them to share their stories in an effort to remove the stigma and shame from sharing one’s struggles with another—a way for women to become their own agents of change.

Finally, sharing these stories can initiate action. When women share their experiences with one another, it empowers both the story-teller and the listener. This creates a dialogue amongst women to begin understanding better the obstacles we face, and finding the right resources that can knock down those barriers to success.

We, here at Dress for Success Vancouver, believe in the power of women helping women. Sharing our stories with one another is one of the most powerful ways for us to do this. Threads provides the framework for this kind of call for action, and we need you to help us spread this message!

If you would like to find out more about these women's stories and contribute to the empowerment of women across the globe, you can Purchase Threads Online. The book (pictured below) is now on sale for $45, or $55 with delivery. All proceeds go straight back to Dress for Success, to ensure the continued success of many women like those featured in the book. 




Threads now available for purchase




This post was written by Ida Lotfi.
Ida is an Outreach Coordinator volunteer at Dress for Success Vancouver.



Making a positive contribution to the community: Community Action Project (CAP)

In July of 2013, Genevieve Sechter, Receptionist at Regent College, was sent as the Vancouver Delegate to a women's leadership conference in Florida by the Dress for Success Vancouver's Professional Women's Group. This provided a foundation for a Community Action Project that is scheduled for April 2014.

Rosemary Hutson interviewed her to find out about her vision and how the plan is materializing.

RH Genevieve, what is Dress for Success and the Professional Women's Group?

GS Dress for Success  is a non-profit organization which receives women referred by government-run agencies and equips them with appropriate clothing to wear for interviews and the workplace. They prevent personal finances from hindering their clients in their search for employment or career development. DFS has a "free-store" and they provide volunteer wardrobe assistants who help select suitable clothing for each client so that she can have an outfit for interviews, and another one when she obtains a job.

However they go far beyond this service to establish each woman securely and profitably in her field.  That is where the Professional Women’s Group comes in. These groups meet monthly providing fellowship, mentoring, networking and lectures by specialists in many fields of endeavour. They also assist women in various aspects of career development.

RH: How did you become the managing director of this project?

GS: Every year the Dress for Success Vancouver's Professional Women's Group invites members to apply to represent their chapter of PWG at their international leadership conference. The Professional Women’s Group requires each applicant to fill out a detailed questionnaire about her history, goals and achievements. The DFS staff consider the prospective delegate’s outlook, obstacles she has faced in life and how these things can be fueled into service to other women and society as a whole. Happily, I was selected as the Vancouver Delegate for 2013-2014. I have never done Project Management before, but my heart and values were revealed in my application and I am thankful that this was enough. I got to attend this conference along with all of the other delegates from DFS locations around the world. We were trained to build teams of volunteers from the other members of our home PWG’s, and to create projects with these women to facilitate positive change in our communities. Each delegate has the freedom to work with any population in any capacity that she chooses. This is all done on a volunteer basis. The freedom we are given is liberating and exciting.

RH: What inspired you to apply?

GS: I have always had a big heart and have dreamed of serving others in many ways since I was a little girl. This opportunity to assist others came with the added attraction of learning new skills that I could use for the rest of my life. I saw it as a character-building experience that would make it possible for me to serve more people more effectively. When I heard "community project" I heard, "this is for you, Genevieve." I am thankful to be the hub of growth, development, insight and creativity for other women. For me it is the next stepping-stone in a lifetime of service. I have previously worked with children, the elderly and people with developmental disabilities, and I have also participated in raising awareness about environmental causes. When God opens a door for me to serve, I walk through it whole-heartedly.
It is a gift to be able to make another person smile. I believe that is what I was born to do.

RH: What is your vision for this Community Action Project?

GS: For this project, I have a few goals. First of all, I want every member on my volunteer team to feel and experience what a blessing they are. I am truly thankful to work with these generous, intelligent, thoughtful and creative women. I think we live in a love-starved society and we don't get enough positive reinforcement. This can lead to us not living out the fullness of our God-given gifts. I enjoy reminding people how special and unique they each are and I want to use this project as an opportunity to showcase some of the gifts and talents of these incredible women.

Secondly, I want to demonstrate that there are good people in the world. It is very easy to become jaded and think that nobody wants to do anything kind unless there is a monetary gain. My team and I are being richly rewarded for this work, but we are giving of our time and talents and not asking for any specific compensation other than to bring joy to other women.

Lastly, the most obvious answer is for this project to provide something beautiful to these single mothers that we are gifting this to. I am not speaking as a parent, as I don't have any children of my own, but I know that it takes so much to raise a child. I cannot imagine having to figure it all out as a single parent! Parents in general, and especially single parents, can become so consumed with taking care of this other being, their child, that it's difficult to find time and space to relax. I want these women to get a short break from their day-to-day routine of meeting the needs of their children, and do something just for themselves. When Mom is taken care of, she can be more present for her children, and let's face it, Mom needs a break!

RH: How did the Dress for Success Professional Women's Group impact your life?

GS: It has been a safe place for me to remember who I am at my core and to inspire me to dream beyond the obstacles that have been in my path. As an organization, I find that they continually honour the unique brilliance of each woman in her entirety. We are not just family members, employees and employers or people that believe this or that. We are dynamic, beautiful, special women, each of us in our own way, regardless of how we got where we are or where we are heading next. Dress for Success is a place for women to be witnessed and respected as beautiful daughters of God.

RH: Why are they taking on this Community Action Project?

GS: Dress For Success aims to empower women to dream bigger and create a better world. The CAP program is an opportunity for women to develop or enhance innate leadership skills in themselves and the women around them while making a positive contribution to the community.

RH: How did the YWCA become involved?

GS: I approached the YWCA for the possibility of partnering with me for this project and they were keen as they do not have any funding for art. We discussed all of their programs and where my CAP might be of the most benefit. We realized that the single mothers in their program would benefit most from the opportunity to create art in community with each other. From that point we selected one particular transitional housing unit from several that they run, and that is where we will be hosting this arts program in the spring.

The single mothers were asked what type of art project they would like to do and they came back saying that they would like to create canvasses with mementos from their lives. I was very excited to hear this since it so happens that we are doing something similar amongst the Regent Community in the Lookout Gallery this season. We are still working out the details, but it looks like it will be a one day event and I hope to have working artists on board to teach the women some techniques if they need that kind of support.

I am thankful to be working in partnership with the YWCA Single Mother's Program and I hope to see a lot of smiles on the day that this comes to fruition!

Note: This project can benefit from donations of art materials, so if you have any that you are willing to share please contact Genevieve: gsechter@regent-college.edu

Genevieve is featured in the first ever Dress For Success coffee table book- Threads along with other PWG Delegates from around the world! The book is $45 CAN and you can contact christina@dfsvancouver.org to place your order.

Rosemary Hutson is a colleague of Genevieve’s at the Dress for Success Professional Women’s Group and also shares a connection with her at Regent College, where Rosemary has taken courses. She shares a strong commitment to promoting the actualization of persons striving to achieve their best potentialities and is an active word-smith.

Dressing for success, my story

"The summer of 2012 was a tough time for me. It marked my three-and-a-half year anniversary since moving to Vancouver, the same amount of time that I had been highly under-employed or not employed at all. Vancouver has been a challenging city in which to find work.

In May of that year, after a vigorous series of interviews, I finally landed a job that I thought would be my long-term resting place with a company I was really keen to join. Sadly, I quickly learned that the job and the company were not for me, and by August, just a few short months later, I was laid off.

It was back to the job-hunting board for me; a nightmare of a full-time job that I was not eager to return to. And then I had a chat with my lovely neighbor Trude, who upon hearing about my situation, asked had I ever heard of Dress For Success? I answered that I didn’t think I had and she excitedly described who they are, what they do and then passed along a referral and I was in!

From the moment I walked in the door, I was made to feel comfortable. Two lovely volunteers raced me around the clothing and accessories to find the perfect ‘interview’ outfit. When I mentioned some of my limitations and preferences on clothing, they were so kind to make me feel at ease and work within those parameters – I swear they had so much fun trying to dress me.

Once I had the outfit, the next step was career guidance for which I was paired with two career HR women in related fields to mine. They were extremely helpful to talk to, providing me with information about various opportunities across sectors and within my field. They also looked over my resume and offered pointers for improvement, as well as ideas on other positions I could apply for.

I left Dress For Success that day with so much more than I thought I would. The supportive and knowledgeable staff was exactly what I needed to help boost my spirit and get me moving in the right direction. And with a new outfit fit for an interview, I was armed with the right tools and resources to get me back on the right track. A few weeks later I managed to find a job that, although below my qualifications and desired salary, turned out to be a wonderful opportunity that has grown into so much more.

I’m so thankful to my Trude for introducing me to Dress For Success, and equally as thankful that programs like this, and with such a fabulous group of people running it, exist. Whenever I talk to women I know that are unemployed or underemployed, I can’t help but pass along the same excited description about Dress For Success that my neighbor had given to me. Thank you"

Jacqueline M.

Dress For Success Vancouver Client

Santa Chow: Approaching Difficulties with Perseverance and Grace

Dress for Success is pleased to welcome Santa Chow, a Dress for Success Vancouver client and success story, as one of four speakers at the Inaugural Success Luncheon on Wednesday, October 30th at The Fairmont Hotel Vancouver.

Santa Chow - Dress for Success client
and success story  


As an intelligent, fearless and strong-willed single mother of two, Santa Chow has the determination to succeed that is nothing short of astounding.“I know I can achieve anything I dream of because I have the will and the power,” she says.

Forty-six year old Santa immigrated to Canada in 1983 from Hong Kong and studied grade 13 in Toronto while her brother attended university. From there, Santa relocated to Winnipeg to attend university herself, but while in Winnipeg she contracted a rare lung disease doctors had never seen before. Santa spent a year in hospital for treatment and even had part of her lung removed. "I almost died from that incident."

Santa regained her strength and after several years returned back to Hong Kong where she worked in the family business as the CEO and controller of her father’s three factories. After four years, Santa left Hong Kong once again and moved back to the Canada with her husband, a dentist she met in Hong Kong.  

Santa worked managing her husband’s business for 13 years when her life took a sharp turn. Her husband asked Santa for a divorce. They had two children together, Tabitha and Sebastian. “When my husband left me and the children, I lost my marriage and my job at the same time,” she says. “I felt like I had nothing left.” Slipping deep into clinical depression, Santa went to see her family doctor. He recommended taking anti-depression medication, but instead Santa turned to natural medicine for healing and discovered running. Jogging for three hours every day, Santa produced the much needed endorphins her body required to start feeling better.

Feeling strong and healthy and ready for a new challenge, Santa joined the YWCA. No longer wanting to depend on a man, “I wanted control over my fate and destiny and to take charge of my life.” Through the YWCA, Santa rediscovered the direction she wanted her life to take and in 2005, she completed a full-time, female-only, six-month long program to become a contractor and learned the skills of the trade. “I completed the course and learned all the wiring, plumbing, carpentry, dry-walling, and tiling. I excelled at all five subjects, but I really love carpentry. I made furniture for my house; the bookshelves and my king-size bed. I made it all myself.”

From there, while juggling two part-time jobs and raising her two children, Santa attended UBC and finished the psychology degree she was unable to continue due to her illness in Winnipeg. 

After she graduated from UBC and through a friend’s recommendation, Santa was offered a job with FranchiseLink, Canada’s largest network dedicated to helping consumers navigate franchise and business opportunities.

When she secured a position with FranchiseLink, Santa became part of the Dress for Success Professional Women’s Group (PWG). The 18-month PWG program provides employed women with a network of support, practical information and inspiration to achieve success in careers and in life. Through the PWG, Santa was paired with a mentor, Kim Conroy, a chartered accountant and a career coach. “She gives me advice, she looked at my resume and once a week she gives me personal counseling.”

Since starting her job with FranchiseLink in December 2009, Santa has been promoted to Director of Asian Franchise Development. “I am the bridge between two cultures, the Asian business market and the mainstream North American market.”

Santa says that Dress for Success gives women the encouragement to educate themselves, and by doing so, the ability to make their lives and the lives of their children better.

“When we make changes for ourselves, it affects our children too, it shapes their lives. Dress for Success gives us encouragement; that even if we are alone, without a partner, we can do things on our own. We can make an impact in the world.”

About Dress for Success Vancouver

Dress for Success Vancouver is an international not-for-profit organization that promotes 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. Since its inception in 1999, Dress for Success Vancouver has helped more than 17,000 women towards self-sufficiency.

Event Details
Get your tickets at www.dressforsuccess.org/vancouver
Enjoy a 3 course lunch and the opportunity to network with other prominent business contacts across all sectors.

All proceeds are in support of Dress for Success Vancouver!

Client Spotlight, Cathyleen Chan

Name: Cathyleen Chan

When did you first get introduced to Dress for Success Vancouver? I was first introduced to Dress for Success Vancouver in the fall of 2011 and was amazed that women who were in need were decently helped.

What has been your most important lesson from the PWG program? Networking is a must here.

What is your occupation? English Instructor.

Who is your hero? Anyone who faces challenges is my hero.

Where is your dream vacation? No dream vacation. I am where I am; things come to me naturally.

What is your motto? Hope for the best, prepare for the worst and take whatever it is.

How Dress for Success inspired me in Miami

This July, I was fortunate enough to be selected as a delegate of Dress for Success Vancouver's Professional Women's Group (PWG) for the 9th annual Success Summit. It is a Dress For Success Leadership Conference for women, hosted by Kimpton Hotels in Miami, Florida. I had the privilege of meeting other delegates from Dress For Success branches around the world, who will all be leading their groups in creating community action projects (CAP) over the next year in their respective locations.

Genevieve Sechter, PWG Member

When I first arrived in Miami, I marveled at how surreal it all seemed. Friday morning I put on the suit that I had been fitted into for a special photo shoot. Tiger lily in hand I headed to the studio. My curls were styled by RedKen, and Bobbi Brown made sure my face was camera ready. I was relieved to hear one of the staff say, “This lily really stands out in this conference room.” I wondered if she knew it represented my soul. Either way God and I both knew I needed to hear that. The photographer was absolutely amazing. All of this was for the first ever Dress for Success coffee table book, “Threads” being created by co:collective in New York. It will weave together the stories of several women who ended up at the doors of Dress for Success. It is expected to be released in December and I am curious to see how it all comes together.

Over the next couple of days, we got to hear from a host of inspirational women, including two of the delegates with the most successful projects from last year. They shared their journeys, triumphs, struggles and general project models with us. It was very inspiring. What struck me the most was that anytime something is really worthwhile you are going to want to quit. You and people around you are going to come up with so many reasons why something is not possible, but that does not need to stop you. In simple terms, it was said, “You are going to want to quit. Don't.” These delegates were the most surprised by themselves and how willing people were to help them when they asked.

By the end of the weekend I definitely had one of those, “If I knew then what I know now” perspectives. All of my concerns walking into the weekend were completely unnecessary. I was the right lady for this. I belonged. I could do it. Knowing you are not alone is a powerful thing. I was affirmed and validated again and again by the speakers, the delegates and the coordinators. As they shared their stories I certainly did pick out threads of mine and shared the mutual shock with other delegates who said, “It was like she was telling my story.” One of the most important things I took away was that anything is possible, we do not need to be defined by our present or past circumstances. I've always believed that, but it was a different thing when I was in a room full of women who are at different places on that very journey, and many of them have been right in my shoes at one time or another.

My CAP is an embryo right now, but here's what I know. I want to use the arts to bring healing and celebration to people. This could take many different forms, including a one day event with follow up, a weekend, or a 12 week evening program. My first step will be to launch a vision for my PWG and get their feedback. Once I have a team on board we can brainstorm the details, secure resources and get started! My initial decisions will involve which community of people to offer this gift to, whether to partner with an organization(s) or whether to secure required components independently, as well as which parts to handle myself and what to delegate. I chose this topic because the arts have been an integral part of my personal journey of healing, starting with acting and dancing roles in biblical plays as a young teenager, and painting and poetry in my later teen years. Through art, going deep can seem like playing, and sometimes it is. If you are an artist that would like to contribute a workshop or if you have a space that you would be willing to donate or any other ideas to offer, please comment below or find me on Facebook and send me a message.

Genevieve Sechter
PWG Member
Dress for Success Vancouver

DFS Vancouver Presents Kathy Butler at Inaugural Success Luncheon October 30th, 2013

Dress for Success is pleased to welcome Kathy Butler, Managing Director, Co-Head of CIBC World Markets' Investment Banking Group Canada, as one of four speakers at the Inaugural Success Luncheon on Wednesday, October 30th at The Fairmont Hotel Vancouver. 

About Kathy

Kathy Butler is the Co-Head of CIBC World Markets’ Vancouver Investment Banking Group.  Kathy joined CIBC’s Investment Banking Group 17 years ago in Toronto, and has been involved in a number of M&A, equity and debt deals in a variety of industries including telecom and technology, consumer retail and forest products.

Kathy holds an MBA (Honours) from the Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto and a Bachelor of Commerce in Finance (Honours) from the Sauder School of Business at the University of British Columbia.

Kathy is on the BC Jobs and Investment Board, the board of Atira Women’s Resource Society and is a Partner of BC Social Venture Partners.

About Dress for Success Vancouver 
Dress for Success Vancouver is an international not-for-profit organization that promotes 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.  Since its inception in 1999, Dress for Success Vancouver has helped more than 17,000 women towards self-sufficiency.

Event Details
Get your tickets at www.dressforsuccess.org/vancouver
Enjoy a 3 course lunch and the opportunity to network with other prominent business contacts across all sectors.

All proceeds are in support of Dress for Success Vancouver!