Marching On - Smart & Sexy Day

March marks Women’s History Month, International Women’s Day and Smart & Sexy day! That’s right, we have our own national holiday, and when we say “we” that includes you. Smart & Sexy Day, is a day to celebrate the many wonderful sides of every woman.

We teamed up with The Women's Alliance (The Women’s Alliance is becoming Alliance of Career Development Nonprofits) to host Smart & Sexy day events throughout the country to help inspire & empower women – boosting their self-confidence so that they feel assured, confident and, most of all, employable. “In today’s slow rebounding economy, it continues to be difficult for those who have been out of the job market to find employment. Combine that with not having the appropriate clothing to make an excellent first impression at an interview, it can create impossible barriers for some disadvantaged women,” says Jeanne Flint, Fund Development Chair of the Alliance of Career Development Nonprofits. “Our community-based, volunteer driven member organizations serve over 60,000 women each and every year, day in and day out assuring low-income women seeking self-sufficiency have an equal chance! Smart & Sexy Day brings awareness to this important work and the impact our members are having on thousands of women’s lives in your community.” Our events include accurate fittings and free foundational garments from yours truly and will be held in the following cities in the month of March:

•   Bottomless Closet (New York, NY) - March 24

•   Career Wardrobe (Philadelphia, PA) - March 26

•   Desert Best Friend’s Closet (Palm Desert, CA) - March 27

•   Dreams to Reality (Jefferson City, MO) – March 31

•   Image for Success (San Rafael, CA) - March 26

•   Ladies of Valor Empowerment (Miami, FL) - March 7

•   Suited for Success (Oklahoma City, OK) - March 26

•   Suit Yourself, Inc. (Painesville, OH) – March 27

•   Tailored for Success (Malden, MA) – March 27

•   Transforming Lives & Restoring Hope (Roanoke Rapids, NC) – March 21

•   WHW (Women Helping Women/Men2Work) – Santa Ana, CA – March 27

We believe all women are, and have the potential to be both SMART and SEXY, everyday. Smart in the choices you make, with your friends, families and in your careers and in your communities. Sexy is self-confidence. Sexy is your walk, your talk and that can easily be improved with something as simple as a new outfit or bra.

As we continue into March, we ask that you take time to help empower women around you, starting with yourself. To paraphrase Helen Reddy, you are strong, you are invincible, you are woman. We wish every woman a wonderful Smart & Sexy Day, on March 13th and every day!

How do you lift up women around you? Tell us in the comments below!

Reposted with permission from Ariela & Associates International.  The original blog was posted on March 10, 2015 at http://www.smartandsexy.com/social/marching-on-smart-and-sexy-day/. 

Change Your Words – Change Your World

I have several friends who send me interesting emails – the kind that often add a smile or a giggle or a thoughtful pause to my day.  Recently I received one with the following link:

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hzgzim5m7oU

It is worth a watch. It got me to thinking about the message “Change your words. Change your world” and what a difference that can make in how we interact with our colleagues, clients, family and friends.

We’ve all experienced the positive effect of a few well-chosen words – the smile you get in return for a simple “Thank You”, the glow that accompanies a compliment. 

But we’ve all also experienced complete disconnect over words that seem out of context, or harsh, or “unnecessary”.  The fascinating thing to me is that the value/impact of a word changes based on our experience of the world, not just on our understanding of the word itself.

For example, I know what the words “always’ and “never” mean – in fact I doubt there’s much argument out there on multiple meanings for those two words.  But I rarely use them. To me they seem limiting and close the door to options and possibilities.  But for a dear friend of mine, “always” and “never” are just statements of fact based on what is known – no future application is considered or implied.   

There are a million other examples of differences between people when it comes to language usage.  Those differences have a profound impact on many aspects of our daily lives – what marketing appeals to us and what turns us away, which leaders motivate us and which leave us shaking our head – and our relationships.   Let me assure you that a key source of conflict in our personal and work relationships is disconnect over what the words being used mean to both parties.

So the next time you get a reaction from someone over something you’ve said that surprises you, stop to ask what it meant to them before you react.  You’ll be amazed at the differences you’ll uncover……and the conflicts you’ll avoid!

Because when you change your words you really can you change your world. 

It’s The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

It’s The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

The lyrics of this holiday song were running through my mind today as I was heading in to work.  I could picture sitting in the living room with my Mom and watching Andy Williams singing it on his TV show…oops that just dated me.

It is a time of special moments with family and friends for many.  I count myself among that fortunate group – our kids and grandkids are all healthy and happy and I’m looking forward to lots of family time.

But this time of year is also one of stress and worry and loneliness for many others.   People who are struggling, who are unemployed, who are alone.

The member agencies of the ACDN make a difference in the lives of men and women who are struggling – now and throughout the year.  The staff and volunteers of these agencies help people to change their lives for the better – to gain self-confidence, to find employment, to improve conditions for themselves and their families.   I am continually impressed, grateful, and humbled by the efforts of everyone associated with each and every ACDN agency.  These folks give the gift of their time, expertise, resources, and care all year long.

During this holiday season, please join me in saying a prayer of hope for those who are struggling and a prayer of thanks for the people who care enough to offer a helping hand.   May you each be blessed with Peace on Earth and Goodwill to All.

Lynda-Ross Vega, 2015 Board President, Alliance of Career Development Nonprofits (ACDN)

I can’t afford to purchase 1200 business suits! Oh, but you can!

Anyone who belongs to a credit union or other membership organization will tell you one of the greatest benefits they enjoy is group pricing and purchasing power on cars, insurance, or a myriad of other items. This was made evident for the Alliance of Career Development Nonprofit (ACDN) members when participating in our most recent group purchasing opportunity - plus size suits from American Apparel Global. 

When negotiating a pricing and purchasing agreement with American Apparel Global, ACDN Managing Partner, Carrie Veurink, knew exactly what our members needed and how to get it! None of our members could afford the $18,000 price tag or have the capacity to store and handle 1,200 suits if they did it alone, but with the exponential buying power of membership, ACDN made it happen! 

We want all members to take advantage of this “perk of membership” by participating in the next purchasing event in early 2015. 

Contact ACDN’s managing partner, Carrie Veurink, cveurink@acdnonline.org or any ACDN board member if you have an interest in purchasing. We’ll make it happen for you! ACDN thanks you for your continued membership!