Suited to Celebrate: A Community Celebration of Confidence
- destiny8260
- 4 days ago
- 4 min read
By Natalie Bennett
"When a community comes together to invest in women, confidence becomes opportunity—and opportunity changes lives."
On June 4, Suited for Change welcomed more than 125 supporters, corporate partners, volunteers, Board members, and community leaders to Suited to Celebrate: A Community Celebration of Confidence, our signature annual fundraising event.
Hosted at Highpoint at 1333 New Hampshire Avenue NW, the evening was a celebration of the incredible community that stands behind our mission and the women we serve. Together, guests gathered to celebrate resilience, opportunity, and the life-changing power of confidence.
Most importantly, together we raised nearly $140,000 to ensure women throughout the Washington metropolitan region continue to receive professional attire, career coaching, workforce development programming, and the encouragement they need to pursue meaningful employment and lasting economic independence.
A Community United by Purpose
From the moment guests arrived, the atmosphere reflected the spirit of Suited for Change—welcoming, inspiring, and full of hope. Friends old and new connected over meaningful conversations while enjoying delicious cuisine, signature cocktails, breathtaking rooftop views, and an exciting silent auction featuring generously donated experiences, travel packages, and unique items from local businesses and community partners.
One of the evening's highlights was our Raise the Paddle, where supporters came together to contribute nearly $25,000 in support of our mission. It was an inspiring reminder that every gift—regardless of size—creates opportunities for women to build confidence and achieve their career goals.
A Story That Inspired Us All
While the evening featured many memorable moments, none was more meaningful than hearing from Suited for Change client Lynda Bradley.
Lynda courageously shared her journey of resilience, perseverance, and transformation, reminding everyone that confidence is not simply something we wear—it is something we build.
Her story illustrated the true impact of Suited for Change. Professional clothing may help a woman make a great first impression, but the support doesn't end there. Through career coaching, workforce development, encouragement, and a community that believes in every woman's potential, Suited for Change helps women gain the confidence to pursue new opportunities and build brighter futures.
Lynda's remarks were a powerful reminder of why this work matters and why the support of our community continues to make such a profound difference.
Every Dollar Makes a Difference
The success of Suited to Celebrate extends far beyond one evening. The funds raised will help ensure that hundreds of women have access to:
Professional interview and employment attire
Individualized career coaching
Workforce development workshops
Resources that build confidence and prepare women for long-term success
A supportive community that believes in their potential
Every sponsorship, every auction item donated, every ticket purchased, every Raise the Paddle contribution, and every volunteer hour helped make this possible.
Thank You to Our Sponsors
Suited to Celebrate would not have been possible without the generosity and leadership of our sponsors.
Your partnership represents more than support for a single event—it is an investment in women striving to achieve economic independence and create brighter futures for themselves and their families. We are deeply grateful for your commitment to our mission and your belief in the transformative power of confidence.
Power of Coaching
Ann & Jamshed Mulla Charitable Fund
Elizabeth Rossman
Style & Confidence
Valerie & Philip Brown
Workforce Readiness
Tom & Robin Finnell
Pathways
Henry Chamberlain & Lisa Burns
Julie Crotty
Stephanie Samoska & the Schwab Family
Marie & Steven Scharam
Thorne Family Foundation
Venue Sponsor
Beverage Sponsors
Event Decor Provided by
To each of our sponsors, donors, volunteers, auction donors, and guests—thank you for helping make Suited to Celebrate such an extraordinary success.
Relive the Celebration
One of the best parts of Suited to Celebrate was sharing the evening with so many people who believe in empowering women.
We invite you to relive some of our favorite moments through the photo gallery below. From joyful reunions and inspiring conversations to unforgettable views and heartfelt stories, these images capture the spirit of a community united by purpose.
And because no celebration is complete without raising a glass, we've also included recipes for our signature cocktails so you can recreate a taste of Suited to Celebrate at home!
Thank you for being part of the Suited for Change community. Whether you attended the event, supported from afar, volunteered your time, donated to our mission, or are learning about us for the first time, you are part of a movement that is changing lives through confidence, opportunity, and community.
Together, we are keeping confidence alive.
We invite you to continue walking alongside these resilient women:
Thank you for being part of this community of strength, service, and lasting change. Together, we're building a future where every woman has the tools to rise!
Stay connected with us by following us on social media @suitedforchange, and signing up for our Monthly Newsletter for additional updates.
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