March 19, 2008

Like many of the women before her who have been named to the Westchester County Women’s Hall of Fame, Eileen Fisher found that if you want something done right, you’d better do it yourself.

Tired of trying to find clothing to fit her lifestyle, Eileen Fisher decided to design her own. In 1984, the first Eileen Fisher designs were cut out on the floor of her Manhattan apartment. Made of all natural fibers, they were stylish, yet comfortable and easy to wear. She was betting that other women would like them too, and she was right.  She parlayed a $350 investment into a multi-million dollar business that today employs more than 700 people in Westchester.

On March 28, Fisher will become the 24th woman to be inducted into the Westchester County Women’s Hall of Fame at an awards luncheon at the Rye Town Hilton in Rye Brook, N.Y. The luncheon starts at 11 a.m.

“Eileen Fisher is a household name,’’ said County Executive Andy Spano, who will present Fisher with the award. “Her clothing is known worldwide. But aside from her skills as a designer, she is known for running one of the most progressive and socially-conscious businesses in the country. We are fortunate that she has chosen to have her company right here in Westchester.’’
 
Recipients of the Hall of Fame award are chosen on the basis of their work to improve women’s lives in significant and enduring ways, as well as on their work as pioneers in a particular field. Past Hall of Fame winners have included Sen. Hillary Clinton, Rep. Nita Lowey, day care advocate Sally Ziegler, County Legislator Lois Bronz, and the late Sen. Mary Goodhue.

Camille Murphy, director of the Westchester County Office for Women which hosts the event, said that not only is Fisher a Hall of Fame award recipient, but for many years her company has supported the Hall of Fame’s scholarship program. An important part of the luncheon, said Murphy, is to raise funds to provide promising young women with college scholarships. This year’s luncheon is expected to raise more than $134,000 to fund 35 scholarship awards.

 “Not only do we honor Eileen Fisher today for her many accomplishments as an artist, designer and businesswoman, but for her commitment to socially-conscious causes and continued support of young women in pursuit of their own dreams of success,’’ said Murphy. 

Fisher is the first woman to be honored from the business category in the24-year history of the Westchester County Women’s Hall of Fame Awards. Her rise to success and progressive business practices reflect the spirit and values the awards program encourages all women and men to emulate.

Fisher’s success story is an inspiring one. She started by designing two tops, a pair of pants and a vest. Her concept was to design functional, attractive mix-and-match styles for active women. Using $350, she displayed them in a booth at the boutique show. She returned home with $3,000 in orders. Her collection is sold through major retailers, specialty stores and in 40 Eileen Fisher stores nationwide as well as online. Fisher moved her company to Westchester in 1992. In 2007, Eileen Fisher Inc. had sales exceeding $254 million. Eighty percent of her more than 700 employees are women.

Fisher is not only committed to the betterment of women, but to making sure that her employees share in the prosperity of her company. About 30 percent of the company is owned by its employees through an Employee Stock Ownership Plan. Eileen Fisher has been recognized for four years in a row as one of the top 25 medium-sized companies to work for in the U.S. 

Her philanthropy extends to the community as well. In 2004, she launched the Women's Business Grant Program, which annually provides five $10,000 grants to socially conscious women business owners.  Through the Eileen Fisher Foundation, she has committed $225,000 over the next three years to sponsor Girls Inc. of Westchester which encourages girls to be strong, smart and bold. Last year, Eileen Fisher Inc. distributed grants of over $500,000 to organizations that provide services for women and girls including scholarships for battered women in Westchester.

The luncheon is hosted by the Westchester County Office for Women, and sponsored by Avon Products, Con Edison, Eileen Fisher Inc., Fujifilm USA Inc., Lanza Family Foundation, MasterCard, Merrill Lynch, Stock Family LLC, Verizon, Visiting Nurse Services in Westchester Inc. and the Westchester Women’s Bar Association Foundation. Tickets are $70, and can be obtained by calling 995-5972.