OSU Women in Technology club seeks donations of professional clothing | News

Oklahoma State University’s Women in Technology Club needs local support in clothing donations for upcoming events.

The club will launch the fall semester with a “Dress for Success” event Aug. 28.

Local business owner Hannah Thompson of Jo & Co, Rachel Leslie of Polka Square and Alane Zannotti, president of the Stillwater Chamber of Commerce, will be in attendance to share fashion tips and wardrobe-stretching advice with members to help prepare them for feeling confident in job interviews, career fairs and networking events.

WIT is hosting a “Career Closet” from 9 a.m. to noon Sept. 6, offering enrolled students the opportunity to select professional attire free of charge, said Kim Strom, club co-advisor. Thompson, Leslie and Zannotti will assist students in making their selections.

From 2-3:30 p.m. the same day, WIT will host “Career Closet Connections” in the Keystone Lobby of the Spears School of Business. All clothing donors are invited to attend, and students will have the chance to network with the donors while showcasing their newly acquired professional outfits.

But the events hinge on one key aspect – the community’s help with providing professional clothing for club members, Strom said.

To help its members present their best selves, WIT is seeking donations of professional clothing in a variety of sizes and colors. Appropriate items include business suits, jackets or blazers, dress pants or skirts, dress shirts or blouses and professional dresses.

All donated items should be in excellent condition, preferably no more than three years old and professionally cleaned.

“Our goal is to provide a diverse range of sizes and styles to meet the needs of all students,” Strom said.

Four donation drop-off locations are available for donors across the state. They include:

• Thursday: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the OSU-OKC Campus, 136 Student Center
• Friday: 9 a.m. to noon at the OSU-Stillwater Campus, Spears School of Business, Room 345
• Friday: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the OSU-Tulsa Campus, 103 North Hall
• Aug. 30: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Stillwater Chamber of Commerce

Donors are asked to complete a form at bit.ly/WITCareerCloset to indicate what they are donating and if they will be attending the Career Closet Connections event.

Strom said the club strives to “educate members about the various fields and aspects of the technology industry, offering insights into what it’s like for women in tech and providing guidance on how to navigate the challenges they may face.”

Club President Hadley Dowers said that donating clothes not only clears space in the closet, but also has the potential to make a huge difference in someone’s life.

“It’s hard to remember just how big of an impact nice clothes can have on a person, bringing them confidence and dignity,” Dowers said. “It’s a simple act of kindness that can truly impact a student’s early career.”

Industry Liaison Mary Welch said that part of helping people succeed is about what she called “creating tailwinds.”

“I believe in the simple impact of our career closet initiative to provide a rapid and tangible value to rising professionals,” Welch said. “Every donation is just that – a way to enable Oklahoma State students to be confident while they navigate their early career steps.”