Step Up to Success

Dress for Success Tulsa’s annual Fashion Show and Auction is scheduled for Friday, October 4.

Pat Simmons and Ronda Adkisson work diligently each year developing Dress for Success Tulsa and the “Step Up To ­Success” Fashion Show and Auction.

President Pat Simmons and Executive Director Ronda  Adkisson, of Dress for Success Tulsa, have announced that Friday, October 4 will be the date for the organization’s annual Fashion Show and Auction, “Step Up To Success.” The event will be held at the Greenwood Cultural Center at 322 N. Greenwood in Tulsa. The event kicks off at 6:30 p.m. with a silent and live auction, cocktails and ­buffet-style dinner featuring tantalizing food selections presented by Chef Mark Michalski and Tulsa area restaurants. The theme is “The Great Gatsby.” Patrons are invited to wear period attire or business dress.

    KOTV-Tulsa CW news anchor Chera Kimiko will emcee activities, and ­executive men and women representing Tulsa area ­businesses will model the ­latest fashions and accessories from Event Clothing Sponsor, Dillard’s in Woodland Hills Mall. Fashion Show models include Larry Cheatham, Flintco, LLC; Julia Herron, Northwestern Mutual; Lori Kroh, Simmons Homes; Barbi McNulty, First Oklahoma Bank; Matt Newman, Covanta Energy; Terry Rackley, Verizon Wireless; David Smith, Walmart; and Macy Snyder-Amatucci, The Mayo Hotel.  

    Keynote speaker will be Myers Barnes, CEO of Myers Barnes & Associates, Inc. “Mr. Barnes is a shockwave of energy and a tactical thinker who has ignited profit-driven performance for countless companies, corporations and sales organizations,” said Ronda.  

    Live and silent auction samplings include items and certificates from spas, golf courses, sports and ­entertainment businesses, hotels and restaurants, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa, cooking classes by Executive Chef Matt Louviere, Moody's Jewelry, Miss Jackson's, and Kristal Limo.

    Tax-deductible table ­sponsorships are available at $1,500, $1,250 and $1,000 levels. Individual tickets are $75 per person.

    Dress for Success Tulsa promotes the economic ­independence of ­disadvantaged women by ­providing professional ­business attire, a network of support and the career ­development tools to help them thrive in work and life. “The suits symbolize our faith in every woman’s ability to succeed,” said Pat, “and our volunteers serve each client with the utmost respect.”

    Walmart assists in the career services area of Dress for Success by helping ­unemployed and ­­under-employed clients gain ­professional skills, accelerate their job search and build confidence through weekly training sessions, one-on-one career coaching and ­networking in a supportive environment.

    The Professional Women’s Group (PWG) ­provides the network of employed Dress for Success Tulsa clients a partnership of support, practical information and inspiration to achieve self-defined success in career and life.

    “We stay committed to delivering all services free of charge to our customers,” said Ronda, “and we work with approximately 125 ­nonprofits, government ­agencies, shelters, colleges and technical institutes that refer women to us.” Dress for Success has extended its free services to over 10,000 women since its inception in 2001.

    “Volunteers make it all possible,” said Pat. Please consider volunteering, sponsoring or supporting by attending the annual Fashion Show and Auction, “Step Up To Success” on Friday, October 4 at the Greenwood Cultural Center. Follow Dress for Success Tulsa on Facebook for more ­information. 

For more information, contact

Dress for Success Tulsa

www.dressforsuccess.org/tulsa

About Author Duane Blankenship

Blankenship graduated from the University of Oklahoma and has enjoyed a lifetime career in advertising. He started his own advertising business in 1993 and enjoys creating graphic art and writing. Hobbies include hunting, fishing and pencil drawings. Duane and his wife, Janice, have been married over 50 years and are active in their church and community. He has been a contributing writer for Value News/Values Magazine since 2005.