Powerful women define image with right outfit for any situation
Staff writer: Mary Anne Zoller

“Dress sharply and they notice the dress. Dress impeccably and they notice the woman.” — Coco Channel

High-achieving, professional women from walks of life as varied as medicine to publishing, from community leaders to influential volunteers, grapple with a conundrum common to every woman: What should I wear today?

As women have struggled to climb to positions of power, dressing for success has become essential in exuding an image of confident leadership. Power dressing came about in the 1980’s to give a woman visual clout, spawning exaggerated shoulder pads and seas of navy suites.

A powerful image for a woman doesn't have to mimic a man’s any longer. Feminine fabrics and softer silhouettes can speak as loudly as any red tie. Comfort and professionalism need not be mutually exclusive endeavors. And there are many other options to a full suit, such as sweaters, blouses and more casual skirts and pants that can be worked with the traditional jacket or bottom.

We asked four of Huntsville’s most influential women to model garments appropriate for commanding a board room, opening a gallery or networking after hours. Bhavani Kakani is 2002 president of the Women’s Guild of Huntsville Museum of Art. Linda Spalla is retired general manager of WHNT-TV Channel 19. Sonja Farrell is director of physical therapy at Crestwood Medical Center. Melinda Gorham is editor of The Huntsville Times.

Linda Spalla found herself divorced and jobless in North Alabama in 1975. She took an entry-level secretarial position at WHNT-TV Channel 19 and worked her way up to become president and general manager little more than a decade later. Her philosophy of upward mobility is simple, yet effective.

“I believe it’s all about respect, honesty and integrity in how we treat others,” Spalla said. “When you do that well, everything else falls into place.”

But she adds to be successful, learn to listen to your intuition and trust your gut.

Spalla retired from the television business in 2000 and wrote her first book, “Leading Ladies.” She enjoys motivational speaking and traveling associated with her book.

But she may slow down a bit to play with her first grandchild, expected in January.

Because she believes in continuing to be an active community member, spalla is the 2003 United Way chairwoman, a busy Rotarian and serves on the boards of the Women’s Economic Development Council Foundation, Crestwood Medical Center and the Burritt Advisory Board. She also mentors two young women each week.

“People ask me constantly as a retired member of our community why I stay so busy and volunteer so much,” Linda said. “The answer is quite simple: This community has given me life, financial success, personal fulfillment, moral support, good standing.”

Published in the Huntsville Times; Sunday, September 21, 2003 in the Sunday Fashion section