Mentoring project gains support from Tulane women

Hannah Dean newwave@tulane.edu
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Celebrating the new partnership between TUWA and Dress For Success are, from left, Lori Byargeon, Dress for Success volunteer coordinator; Matesa Gago-Luu, TUWA president; Meredith Feike, chair of Women In Action and TUWA board member; Diane M. Riche, president of Dress for Success New Orleans; and Laura Crow, executive director of Dress for Success New Orleans. (Photo from the Tulane University Women’s Association)

Founded in 1910, the Tulane University Women’s Association has brought women on campus together “to connect, share and inspire.” That tradition is continuing with TUWA’s new mentoring initiative in partnership with Dress for Success New Orleans.

TUWA’s Women in Action Community Initiative will take part in Women 2 Women, a signature mentoring program of Dress for Success, which is an international nonprofit organization that promotes the economic independence of disadvantaged women by providing professional attire, a network of support and career development tools to help women thrive.  

The mentoring program aims to provide underserved women with the practical information and inspiration needed to achieve self-defined success in career and life, says Meredith Feike, TUWA board member and chair of Women in Action.

“We are excited about our new partnership with Dress for Success and believe in their mission.”

Matesa Gago-Luu, president, Tulane University Women’s Association

“Tulane has a long tradition of civic engagement and serving those in need, providing students, faculty and staff, as well as local alumni, with service opportunities that address social challenges in the New Orleans metropolitan area,” says Feike, a clinical associate professor at the Disaster Resilience Leadership Academy of Tulane.

She says TUWA is eager to sign up mentors to participate in the new program. Mentors may be female faculty, staff and alumnae. The wives of faculty, staff, and alumni are also welcome to participate. Mentors will share their insights with participants in the program, providing practical guidance that enables mentees to establish and reach professional goals.

The mentees are Dress for Success clients who have successfully gained employment and have been invited to join the organization’s Professional Women’s Group.

“Since 1910, TUWA has been bringing women together to connect, share and inspire,” says TUWA president Matesa Gago-Luu. “We are excited about our new partnership with Dress for Success and believe in their mission by empowering women with self-confidence so they can secure employment. The strength of our community is based on our people — and we hope members of the Tulane community will join TUWA to support Dress for Success.”

To learn more, visit TUWA’s Women in Action website.