Suits, Stilettos and Lipstick was born from Dr. Elizabeth King’s bold and heartfelt vision: to create a safe, dynamic space where women could gather to learn, connect, and speak openly, even about topics often considered taboo. Her goal wasn’t just to inspire, it was to equip women to lead in their homes, workplaces, and communities with resilience, strength, and authenticity and to find balance while doing it.
In April 2012, she shared this dream with Yvonne Haase, who had recently joined her clinical practice. Yvonne instantly resonated with the vision. Both were psychotherapists with a 
deep-rooted passion for empowering women. Despite being new friends at the time, the connection was instant and powerful, one that would evolve into a profound partnership and, eventually, a deep best friendship grounded in shared values, trust, and laughter.
With no formal business plan, no budget, and just four months to plan, the two women leapt into action. They created a name that reflected the essence of the modern, empowered woman—Suits, Stilettos and Lipstick—and set the tone for something entirely fresh, bold, and unapologetically feminine. Confident that women would come, they booked the Ritz-Carlton and invited two local icons, Ina Lee and Ramola Motwani, to serve as the inaugural honorary chairwomen.
On the morning of Friday, July 13, 2012, 250 women filled the ballroom—and it was clear from the start: this wasn’t just a conference. It was the beginning of something much bigger.
From that one powerful day, Suits, Stilettos and Lipstick became a movement. Thousands of women have since joined the SASSY sisterhood (Smart, Assertive, Strategic, Selfless, and Young-at-Heart) women who lift one another up and lead with purpose.
As the movement grew, so did the mission. Dr. King and Yvonne recognized that to create lasting societal change, they needed to start with the next generation. They expanded the foundation’s work to include children and teens, understanding that true empowerment starts early.
It was a natural fit to bring under the SSL umbrella a project that had started years earlier: the toy drive Dr. King and her husband began from their home. What started with a few boxes of toys on their porch has grown into a major community event that, in 2024 alone, distributed over 5,000 toys to children across Broward County, and to-date they have donated over 85,000 toys.
SSL’s growing impact also includes:
The Heidi Dennis (HD) Wonder Woman Scholarship Program, is a need-base scholarship which honors women who exemplify courage, leadership, and a commitment to community service.
The Leaders Inspiring Future Trailblazers (LIFT) Mentorship Program: pairs HD Wonder Woman scholarship recipients with a mentor for a year- to help guide them in personal development, academic success, and leadership growth.
What began as a one-time event is now a force of change..
Dr. King and Yvonne, once near strangers, are now best friends, co-leaders, and sisters in purpose, continuing to lead SSL with love, humility, and humor. Their partnership—and the community of women they’ve built—serves as proof that when women come together with heart and vision, the impossible becomes inevitable.
Suits, Stilettos and Lipstick Foundation continues to thrive—fueled by love, powered by purpose, and grounded in the belief that when women, we all rise.
