National women's history month events planned by ACDN and Smart & Sexy

WASHINGTON - Feb. 29, 2016 - PRLog -- Nonprofits (ACDN) and five Smart & Sexy-selected member organizations will kick off events in March throughout the U.S. aimed at helping women prepare as much as possible for employment. Smart and Sexy Day events will inspirewomen – boosting their self-confidence so that they feel assured, confident and, most of all, employable. The holiday was launched in 2012 by the Alliance of Career Development Nonprofits (formerly known as The Women's Alliance(TWA) - a national organization of independent, community-based member organizations who provide professional attire and career skills training to low income women and men - and sponsored by Ariela & Associates International, one of the largest privately held lingerie companies in the country.

“It is difficult for those who have been out of the job market to find employment – this is true in times of job growth and slowly declining unemployment numbers just as it is true in times of economic downturn.  A lack of appropriate clothing to make an excellent first impression at an interview can create impossible barriers for disadvantaged women and men,” says Lynda-Ross Vega, Board President of the Alliance of Career Development Nonprofits. “Our community-based, volunteer driven member organizations serve over 60,000 women and men each and every year, day in and day out assuring low-income people seeking self-sufficiency have an equal chance! Smart & Sexy Day ( can also read: This event if preferred ) brings awareness to this important work and the impact our members are having on thousands of people’s lives in your community.”

As part of the celebration, Alliance of Career Development Nonprofits (ACDN) member organizations will provide a day of workforce training, professional image classes and individual support for women with the goal of enabling them to take action, secure employment and enhance the quality of their lives. The goal of the holiday is to help women feel good about who they are, because feeling good is looking good. Women who attend Smart & Sexy Day at a participating ACDN location will receive Smart & Sexy foundation garments as well as job seeking skills training.  The impact of the day is to demonstrate how Smart & Sexy, ACDN and their member organizations support women in more ways than one!  Attendees will also be taught how to shop and build a professional wardrobe on a budget.

"We are very appreciative that Smart & Sexy and ACDN has given us the opportunity to participate in Smart & Sexy Day again this year.  It gives us the opportunity to instill in our clients the knowledge and confidence to achieve self-sufficiency through employment. They will learn from local experts the importance of a positive body image, building a professional wardrobe on a budget and interview techniques, says Susan Walton, Executive Director for Suited for Success, “we look forward to Smart & Sexy Day, a day of camaraderie, learning and lingerie, it is one of our most anticipated events of the year.”

Special programming, including accurate fittings and free foundational garments from Smart & Sexy International, will be held in the following cities in the month of March:

▪ Bottomless Closet (New York, NY) - March 15 or 16, TBD
▪ Career Wardrobe (Philadelphia, PA) - March 14
▪ Image for Success (San Rafael, CA) - March 9
▪ Ladies of Valor Empowerment (Miami, FL) - March 12
▪ Suited for Success (Oklahoma City, OK) – March 17

All twenty-four (24) Alliance of Career Development Nonprofits (ACDN) Members will receive product from Smart & Sexy to give to their clients. For a full list of ACDN members, visit:  www.acdnonline.org/locations.

ABOUT Ariela & Associates International and Smart & Sexy.

Ariela & Associates was founded over 20 years ago with the idea that women should be able to have fashionably sexy lingerie that provides figure solutions at great prices. Today, we are one of the largest privately held lingerie companies in the US, selling over 60 million garments a year under numerous national brands. Smart & Sexy is our in-house brand created for the fashion savvy woman. Smart fit, sexy and flattering looks, quality, comfort and amazing value are the brand's guiding principles. Learn more:  www.smartandsexy.com

For more information on Smart & Sexy, please contact:

Brady Halbert, Brand Manager

T: 212-683-4131 x2729 (tel:212-683-4131;2729) / E: bhalbert@aai-llc.com

ABOUT the Alliance of Career Development Nonprofits (ACDN)

The Alliance of Career Development Nonprofits is the leading network of unique community based non-profits that empower women and men to achieve economic independence. The Alliance of Career Development Nonprofits (ACDN) fosters the creation and growth of community-based organizations that assist individuals to secure and maintain employment. We believe anyone who wants a job, should get one.

Each year, member agencies of ACDN assist more than 25,000 women and men across the country transition into the workplace. The professional clothing, training, and coaching services provided by our member agencies help women and men coming out of poverty, welfare, and other dire circumstances prepare for and succeed in the workplace.  Learn more: www.acdnonline.org.

For more information about the Alliance of Career Development Nonprofits, please contact:

Lynda-Ross Vega, ACDN Board President

M: 817-832-3299 / E: lrvega@acdnonline.org (mailto:jflint@acdnonline.org)

Carrie Hanson Veurink, ACDN Managing Partner, M: 925-849-7500 / E: cveurink@acdnonline.org