May 2010

Dear Friends:

For WomenSpirit, 2010 marks a milestone of 15 years in business. Thank you to those of you who have been with us from the beginning like Rev. Holly McKissick, Saint Andrew Christian Church in Olathe, Kansas. Holly was looking for robes in 1994 and was instrumental in the start-up of WomenSpirit. The idea for the business of women clergy robes was suggested to me by a friend who knew Holly. So, she is the genesis of the idea that has created wonderful vestments for you and good jobs for our staff.

For those who are just becoming familiar with us, welcome! Our pledge is to provide you with striking, well-made robes and other garments and to keep you coming back to WomenSpirit for years to come. We are proud of our products, and we stand behind them completely. We do not negotiate customer satisfaction; we guarantee it.

Since our modest start on the third floor of my home (where I have lived with my husband and our two children the last 21 years), we have grown considerably. For the last 10 years, we have operated out of a one-story building in North Kansas City, just outside Kansas City, MO. We design all of our garments, and all are made in the United States. Most are made and finished at our workshop.

We remain a small company with a diverse and tightly knit group of employees, each of whom brings a strong dedication to the company and its mission of producing outstanding garments. We have 10 associates, all women. Our longest associates are two seamstresses, Loretta Ortiz and Mai Doan, who have been with us the entire 15 years.

Ann Suarez, our manager has been with us 10 years. I am grateful for their continuing hard work that keeps us moving forward.

Patty (on left) and Ann in front of our building.

We made a big leap last year and started another company, called Abiding Spirit. It is our fraternal branch, with well designed robes and vestments for men. Please refer your male colleagues to it at abidingspirit.com.

Our robes have three essential components: high quality, innovative design and great fit. Other companies copy our robes and blouses, but they neither fit as well nor match the quality. Our robes, we believe, help you project your special gifts and talents.

Please keep your suggestions and comments coming. You can e-mail us from our contact page or click here: customerservice@womenspirit.com.

Blessings,

Patty Fitzpatrick