Eileen Fisher seated in room with garments and yarn

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Proceeds donated by Eileen Fisher, Inc. went to Rutgers’ Ready to Run and NEW Leadership programs. Both are based at the Center for American Women and Politics, part of the Eagleton Institute of Politics, and have 31 partner programs nationwide, all of which shared in the proceeds.

Any woman who was shopping at an Eileen Fisher store on March 22 got more than she bargained for. It was the company’s semiannual national retail event, during which 10 percent of all purchases—whether at EileenFisher.com or the brand’s more than 60 retail stores—benefit a charitable cause of the company’s choosing. This year, the $202,860 in donated proceeds went to Rutgers’ Ready to Run and NEW Leadership programs, which are based at the Center for American Women and Politics, part of the Eagleton Institute of Politics, and have 31 partner programs nationwide, all of which shared in the proceeds.

Ready to Run trains women to run for political office, work on campaigns, and get involved in public life—no small matter in a nation where only 18.5 percent of women hold congressional seats and where a mere five states have women governors. NEW Leadership is a summer residential program for college women who want to explore public leadership. Rutgers launched both programs in New Jersey and has helped partners in other states to replicate them.

The impact of the retail event went far beyond monetary support. Through hefty promotional exposure, including national advertising, media placements, social media, and grassroots efforts, Eileen Fisher, Inc., helped raise awareness about the need for more female voices in politics. During the event, local program representatives and women serving in public office were in stores to further the discussion. Many women left the store with a resolve either to run or to convince a friend to do so.

Reisa Brafman, who leads community partnerships and women’s initiatives for Eileen Fisher says: “I think it’s exciting that someone could have come in to buy a pair of pants, and who knows? Maybe they’ll wind up on the ballot.