Eileen Fisher

Eileen Fisher grew up in Des Plaines, Illinois and from the very start, understood the importance of getting an education and starting a career. She was told that she would have to fund her own college education, as her family was saving their money for her younger brother to support his future family. Ms. Fisher didn’t let that get her down; she paid her way through University of Illinois, and following graduation in 1972, she moved to New York City, where she worked as an interior decorator before starting her own fashion business in 1984.

Fast forward to the present day, and Eileen Fisher Inc. is a privately owned business, with over hundreds of millions of revenue each year, and over 1,200 employees in over 15 states. Ms. Fisher is a pioneer in the industry, and especially when it comes to the environment. Over 70% of the cotton used to make her clothes is sourced from organic cotton.

Ms. Fisher is not only environmentally focused, but is a leading voice in female empowerment and leadership. She started a recycle program where customers can turn in gently used garments from her line, and the clothes donated are cleaned, refurbished and resold, with the profits funding business grants for women and leadership programs for young women. Ms. Fisher started “Women Together CONNECT,” an online community that hosts webinars and online events for women to share experiences and draw on one another’s strength and compassion, and uplift and encourage each other.

The COVID-19 crisis has shown us some true heroes, and Ms. Fisher is no different. Seeing the demand for masks and gowns, she and her team started working from the beginning of the pandemic on making and sewing masks and hospital gowns. The team in Irvington, NY has been dedicated to the fight, and on average is making between 300-500 masks per week, using organic cotton and other sustainable materials. Ms. Fisher worked in conjunction with the first responders not only in Irvington but surrounding areas, donating thousands of masks and gowns directly.

On behalf of Senate District 35, we are proud to present Eileen Fisher as our 2020 Woman of Distinction, for her hard work, environmental focus, female empowerment and encouragement, and especially for her dedication to help armor and protect those on the front lines.