Like our broader community, the Indianapolis affiliate of Dress for Success (DFS) is rich with diversity – from the women we serve, to the staff, volunteers and Board of Directors who help us carry out our purpose. And while there may be differences in viewpoints on certain topics, we are united and unwavering in our commitment to fulfill our mission – to empower women in our region to achieve economic independence by providing a network of support, professional attire and the development tools to help them thrive in work and life.
At the same time, we cannot ignore the major socioeconomic and health impacts Indiana’s SB 1 will have on women in our State. While our core mission and services provided are not changing, what has changed is that the women we serve find themselves navigating a complex and changing landscape:
- Indiana is among the first states to implement new regulations. Other states are in the process of implementing or considering changes to regulations.
- Employers too find themselves weighing how to respond to SB1 — including how, or if, to modify employee and insurance benefits.
In line with our mission and purpose, Dress for Success Indianapolis will continue to offer a safe space for women. Within the framework of the law, we’ll leverage our local and DFS Worldwide network to provide our clients with support, education, and resources they need to thrive in their personal and professional lives.
Our goal is not to influence a woman’s decisions – but rather, to empower each woman to choose her own path, less hindered by the barriers that inequality can create.
Looking ahead, we know that the local, regional, and national landscape will continue to evolve – and as we navigate that change together, it’s important that we continue to choose unity over division. Together, we will lead by example and demonstrate that our diversity is an immense strength – and by remaining focused on our mission and the needs of those we serve, we can meaningfully advance women’s equity and equality in the Indianapolis region.
