AUSTIN, Texas — One Central Texas woman is opening up about overcoming emotional abuse, becoming financially independent and those that helped her along that journey.

Jemimah Ngari arrived in the United States in 2013 from Kenya in search of the "american dream." That dream seemed all but gone after a marriage that ultimately left her feeling belittled and mistreated.

“I had just a painful experience in marriage where my husband at the time would put me down. Basically just emotional abuse,” she said.

Escaping that relationship wasn't easy. Ngari had little experience or preparation to join the workforce, but what she lacked in experience she made up for with something far more important: resolve.

She came into contact with Hope Alliance, a group that referred her to Dress for Success Austin, a nonprofit dedicated to helping women become financially independent.

“They were able to, first of all, dress me up because I came feeling very low. And just being dressed up felt like you're being dressed up in confidence,” Ngari said.

Dress for Success helped Ngari get a professional wardrobe, a small gesture that would eventually open up many doors for her. Ngari was only scratching the surface of her potential. 

She landed a job at a global IT company and pursued higher education.

“I was able to work with my little salary and managed to get a car, to take care of the children, pay rent and I can see from there it's been, it's been going very good,” she said.

What started off as a small boost of self confidence through new clothes has taken Ngari into new heights. Wardrobe assistance is just one small part of the Dress for Success mission.

The nonprofit also empowers women to become financially independent through programs designed to raise awareness about saving money and stretching dollars. Just last month the group announced a partnership with CapitalOne and SaverLife for a financial management program, an indication of DFSAs commitment to this critical part of their mission.

Neha Gupta is the Vice President of Market Development at SaverLife. She says this partnership stands to make a direct impact on improving the quality of life of women in the program, especially after COVID-19.

"Women had to drop out of the workforce at record high numbers because of the pandemic. Kids being home, childcare and schools being closed, or because of distance learning. And so we really are excited about supporting women especially because we know that if any group really needs help on that road to recovery. It really is women," Gupta said.

Today, Ngari balances life as a mother, worker and now as a global ambassador for Dress for Success.

“It gives me great hope that I can still empower people because I want to pay it forward...what people have invested in me here,” said Ngari.

The woman who arrived in America eight years ago is much different now, and Ngari’s journey is only now getting started.