Founded and run by women since 1883
A not-for-profit organization dedicated to helping empower women to lead financially stable, productive lives
Home of the Iconic Cherry Dress
Our signature Cherry Dress was introduced in 1954 and is sold exclusively at the Woman’s Exchange of St. Louis. This iconic, handmade dress has charmed parents for decades, ranging from Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Gwyneth Paltrow, Jenna Bush, Andy Cohen, and other social media influencers. The Cherry Dress was trademarked in 2016 and has been featured in the New York Times Style section.
Who We Are
The Woman’s Exchange of St. Louis was founded by women, for women, and utilizes sales from our tearoom and shop to support and empower others to lead healthy and productive lives. We work with a variety of individuals, including divorced or widowed women, women who require additional income, women who are unable to maintain regular work due to household needs, and early-stage entrepreneurs developing and launching their businesses.
Our Mission
Our philanthropic work focuses on empowerment and stability through work training programs. Our participants can work in our retail, restaurant, or artisan department. Applicants are evaluated without judgment and are viewed uniquely for our mission-based programs since they come from a variety of backgrounds and experiences.
Our Leadership
Our organization is governed by an all-volunteer Board of Directors, each elected to membership by their peers. The Board supports the mission of the Exchange through gifts and over 5,000 volunteer service hours annually. Board members serve as hostesses in the tearoom, manage the boutique, and assist in all areas of organizational operation.