Media Contact:

Erin Moran

646-233-4954

erin@dressforsuccess.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

BNY MELLON FUNDS PROGRAM FOR DRESS FOR SUCCESS

Disadvantaged Women Across the U.S. to Gain Financial Literacy Knowledge

New York, NY – (April 16, 2010) BNY Mellon is supporting the Financial Literacy Program of Dress for Success, an international non-profit organization that promotes the economic independence of disadvantaged women.  BNY Mellon’s funding will enable ten Dress for Success affiliates to implement this innovative program beginning this spring.

The Financial Literacy Program is a 10-week seminar series open to members of the Professional Women’s Group, an international networking association for Dress for Success clients, who have demonstrated an interest and commitment to improving their financial lives.  Participants are educated on a range of financial topics including budgeting, basic banking, tackling debt issues, taxes, investing, and retirement.  Over the course of this program, participants learn how to take control of their income, become strong self-advocates and champion their own financial future. The pilot program launched in New York City resulted in several achievements, including 100% of participants maintaining a monthly budget, a savings account, a checking account, an emergency action plan, and many significantly reducing their debt.

Women who complete the Financial Literacy Program will be eligible for the Pursuit Beyond the Suit scholarship program.  The scholarship is funded by The AXA Foundation, the philanthropic arm of AXA Equitable Life Insurance Company, and will help recipients achieve their education and life enrichment goals.

“Dress for Success is fortunate to have the generous support of BNY Mellon,” said Joi Gordon, CEO of Dress for Success Worldwide. “By funding the Financial Literacy Program, hundreds of women across the country will be more equipped to achieve economic independence and self-sufficiency.”

About Dress for Success

Dress for Success is an international not-for-profit organization that promotes the economic independence of disadvantaged women by providing professional attire, a network of support and the career development tools to help women thrive in work and in life. Since starting operations in 1997, Dress for Success has expanded to more than 100 cities in the U.S., Australia, Canada, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, the UK and the West Indies. To date, Dress for Success has helped more than 500,000 women work towards self-sufficiency. Visit www.dressforsuccess.org to learn more.

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