MOBILE BAR ASSOCIATION WOMEN LAWYERS RAISE THOUSANDS FOR OUR SISTERS' CLOSET

BY: Kelli Dugan, al.com
View article at al.com:
http://www.al.com/business/index.ssf/2014/10/mobile_bar_association_women_l.html

MOBILE, Alabama - Our Sisters' Closet will soon receive $5,000, courtesy of the Mobile Bar Association Women Lawyers, whose fourth annual Women Professionals Networking Event attracted more than 100 supporters Oct. 16.

"We are especially excited about the feedback we have received from attendees -that the event was valuable, enjoyable and even inspirational. We look forward to another great event in 2015 and to continuing to support the professional advancement of women in the Mobile area," Abby Richardson, an attorney with the Richardson Law Firm and the event co-chair. "(We) are thrilled that our annual networking event raised $5,000 for an organization whose important work we are proud to support," she said.

Our Sisters' Closet was founded to increase the self-confidence and job opportunities of disadvantaged women seeking employment by providing free interview and workplace clothing. The nonprofit organization also provides job search support and career advancement training to women, men and teenagers.
Lucy Tufts, an attorney with Cunningham Bounds LLC and an event organizer for MBAWL, said the crowd was "captivated" by keynote speaker U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell.

"She spoke about the critical importance of the support of women both in her early life and throughout her career. In particular, she emphasized that women were an integral part of her successful run for Congress and remain an integral part of her work on behalf Alabama's seventh Congressional district. It was a strong message that encouraged all of the attendees to continue to network with one another for the dual purposes of growing business throughout the Gulf Coast and promoting the advancement of women in all aspects of their professional lives," Tufts said.

The annual fundraiser is open to all but encourages networking for women in a variety of professions, including accounting, medicine, realty, banking, academia, law, science, politics and small business ownership. Past beneficiaries have included the Women's Business Alliance and McKemie Place.