STATE COLLEGE (Nov. 4, 2003) � As part of its annual retreat in State College on Oct. 25, the Pennsylvania Bar Association Commission on Women in the Profession (WIP) members participated in USA Today�s annual �Make A Difference Day,� which designates the fourth Saturday of every October as a day of helping others. The WIP sponsored the �Cleaning Closets for a Cause� program to provide professional clothing to lower-income women across Pennsylvania who are seeking to enter or re-enter the workforce.

�The retreat is one of everyone�s favorite events,� Retreat Chair Carrie E. Matesevac of Pittsburgh said. �It is an opportunity for WIP members to come together to discuss many issues women lawyers face today. This clothing drive is an extension of that effort.�

All retreat attendees were asked to clean out their closets and bring any professional clothing/accessories to the retreat. The retreat committee members collected the items and distributed them to various organizations across Pennsylvania. Items for donation included women�s business and business casual attire and accessories, such as shoes, belts, jewelry, purses and scarves.

�When the retreat committee learned more about Make a Difference Day and the impact volunteers' efforts have upon people in need across the country, it gave us the idea to have WIP members donate interview and work-appropriate clothing at the retreat to help low-income women seeking employment,� Jennifer Russell of Pittsburgh, member of the retreat committee and coordinator of the clothing drive. �Through this project, we hope to improve the economic independence of low-income women across Pennsylvania who aspire to achieve economic self-sufficiency and stability for themselves and their families.�

All of the clothing and accessories were donated to the following organizations: Prince of Peace Center, Farrell; Program for Female Offenders, Pittsburgh; South Hills School of Business and Technology, State College; The Career Wardrobe, Philadelphia; and the YWCA of Harrisburg.