Resilience, strength, and integrity. Lillian Davis has all of these qualities, which shows every day as one of our new U Leaders at Dress for Success Twin Cities. While her base is in Georgia, her story breaks all barriers.
Born and raised in Decateur, Georgia, Lillian received her Bachelors in General Arts from Georgia State University before moving into a packing and shipping position in 2016. An incident at the shipping center moved her into going into disability pay; it quickly changed from short-term to permanent.
While on the road to recovery, Lillian paired up with organizations focused on disabilities and rehabilitation. She partnered with Disability Link program as part of the Georgia Centers for Independent Living; the organization’s goal was to match institutionalized people with disabilities and help them on the road to becoming independent persons. New job opportunities opened to her as she was suited and ready to join up with Atlanta Legal Aid, partnering with paralegals engaging with people with disabilities who need legal assistance and aid. But, she was not able to complete this internship after a severe car accident where she was rear-ended by a police officer and that resulted in permanent spine and back injuries, along with knee injuries. All these accumulating issues led Lillian through a great serial of trials while she worked with a lawyer to gain social security and further disability payments.
In 2019, she returned to Disability Link for their employee training program called LINKS. She was ready to go out and get employment, ultimately coming to be a part of Dress for Success Atlanta. Several months later, the pandemic happened. For her, the pandemic was a “blessing in disguise” as everyone was put into lockdown. Lillian was able to meet other women across the Dress for Success network from all different backgrounds, yet they have the same story.
In 2020, Lillian was asked to make a keynote speech as an advocate for people with disabilities and mental health. During the talk, she talked about being exposed to these “amazing women and creating a network I have learned that I am stronger than I think am. Now that I can see who I really am and what I really want, I have truly begun my journey!” She also adds, “Dress for Success has empowered not just me, but many other women in a wide array of circumstances. This organization has helped me and other women I have met improve our situations and has opened doors for us to see great possibilities in life!”
Her future now lies in hair care and beauty projects that are geared towards women who are going through medications that are affecting their skin and natural hair. She is gearing up for an exciting education in beauty and health, ultimately leading into having her own salon and products. Lillian’s five year plan will create a cosmopolitan empire that is geared towards a very small niche that will match the needs of her community.
For success, it’s about your reputation. As her grandpa said, “your reputation is the most important thing. It’s what people remember you by when you are gone.” It’s about what impression you put onto people and how you behave. It can apply to how you leave your workplace and what impression you made for your interview. If you can see how you are remembered in the workplace, refine who you are. Be the person that you want to be known as professionally and collaboratively.
Born and raised in Decateur, Georgia, Lillian received her Bachelors in General Arts from Georgia State University before moving into a packing and shipping position in 2016. An incident at the shipping center moved her into going into disability pay; it quickly changed from short-term to permanent.
While on the road to recovery, Lillian paired up with organizations focused on disabilities and rehabilitation. She partnered with Disability Link program as part of the Georgia Centers for Independent Living; the organization’s goal was to match institutionalized people with disabilities and help them on the road to becoming independent persons. New job opportunities opened to her as she was suited and ready to join up with Atlanta Legal Aid, partnering with paralegals engaging with people with disabilities who need legal assistance and aid. But, she was not able to complete this internship after a severe car accident where she was rear-ended by a police officer and that resulted in permanent spine and back injuries, along with knee injuries. All these accumulating issues led Lillian through a great serial of trials while she worked with a lawyer to gain social security and further disability payments.
In 2019, she returned to Disability Link for their employee training program called LINKS. She was ready to go out and get employment, ultimately coming to be a part of Dress for Success Atlanta. Several months later, the pandemic happened. For her, the pandemic was a “blessing in disguise” as everyone was put into lockdown. Lillian was able to meet other women across the Dress for Success network from all different backgrounds, yet they have the same story.
In 2020, Lillian was asked to make a keynote speech as an advocate for people with disabilities and mental health. During the talk, she talked about being exposed to these “amazing women and creating a network I have learned that I am stronger than I think am. Now that I can see who I really am and what I really want, I have truly begun my journey!” She also adds, “Dress for Success has empowered not just me, but many other women in a wide array of circumstances. This organization has helped me and other women I have met improve our situations and has opened doors for us to see great possibilities in life!”
Her future now lies in hair care and beauty projects that are geared towards women who are going through medications that are affecting their skin and natural hair. She is gearing up for an exciting education in beauty and health, ultimately leading into having her own salon and products. Lillian’s five year plan will create a cosmopolitan empire that is geared towards a very small niche that will match the needs of her community.
For success, it’s about your reputation. As her grandpa said, “your reputation is the most important thing. It’s what people remember you by when you are gone.” It’s about what impression you put onto people and how you behave. It can apply to how you leave your workplace and what impression you made for your interview. If you can see how you are remembered in the workplace, refine who you are. Be the person that you want to be known as professionally and collaboratively.
