Start the new year with a clean closet and a good deed

Details

The UAB Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) will start the new year by sponsoring its third “Suits 4 Success” clothing drive Monday-Friday, Jan. 12-16, 2009. Collected items will be donated to My Sister’s Closet, an outreach program of the YWCA of Central Alabama.

“The drive is aimed at providing quality business attire to women who lack the financial resources to buy the kind of wardrobe required for a professional interview or the work environment,” said new CSW Chair Donna Arnett, Ph.D., who also is the chair of the Department of Epidemiology in the UAB School of Public Health.

“We know that many people like to start the new year by cleaning out after the holidays, so we wanted to make it a little easier for them,” Arnett said. “We will gladly take gently worn suits, jackets, skirts, casual pants, shirts, shoes, handbags and accessories and help them find their next good home.

“And you don’t have to be a UAB faculty or staff member or student to participate – we are encouraging everyone in the community to get involved.”

The past two Suits 4 Success drives have been overwhelming successes, collecting literally tons of clothing, shoes and accessories. This year, donations of clean, reasonably new items (preferably on hangers) will be accepted at the drive-thru located in front of the John N. Whitaker Building, 500 22nd St. South, from 6:30 to 10:30 a.m. each day. Drop boxes also will be located in the Administration Building, Heritage Hall, Campbell Hall, Business and Engineering Complex, Humanities Building, Hill University Center, School of Nursing, School of Public Health, School of Education and School of Health Professions.

This year’s drive is being chaired by Heather Maddox White, CSW member and director of fiscal and administrative affairs in the Office of the Vice President for Information Technology. For information about this initiative, contact White by phone at 975-0250 or e-mail heatherwhite@uab.edu.

The UAB Commission on the Status of Women brings female faculty, staff and students together in a forum to advocate and examine the progress of the university’s commitment to securing equitable opportunities and rewards for its employees. The commission holds regular meetings and advises the president on issues, policies and practices that affect women at UAB.

For more information about the commission and its initiatives, visit www.uab.edu/women.