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Amazing Mom: Pam Philipp
Filed under: Teens, Resources, Amazing Parents, Fashion
Pam Philipp is the chief fairy godmother of Operation Glass Slipper. Photo courtesy Pam Philipp
Pam's Family: Husband: Mike, married 21 years; Kid: Emily, 20
Pam Lives In: Mendota Heights, Minnesota
Why Pam Is Amazing: Soon after Hurricane Katrina, Pam Philipp heard about a teen who was collecting prom dresses and shipping them out to girls in New Orleans.
"I ran into Emily's room -- who at that time was still 16 -- and I said, 'we could do this,' " Pam says. "She said, 'Yeah, we could do this. We could ship them down,' and I said, no, we could do this locally. There's got to be a need, and that really started it."
Soon after, they recruited secondhand stores and consignment shops to offer donations and the dresses, purses, jewelry and shoes started pouring in. That's when they knew they had something bigger on their hands and Operation Glass Slipper was born.
"We had no warehouse space, so we were stocking hundreds of dresses on top of the ping pong table," Pam says. After some local press, they were able to secure storage space. Now, four years later, the number of girls who benefit from the Philipps' efforts has more than doubled.
"The first year it was about 500 (girls)," Pam says. "Then 750, and then 1,000. Then this year it was a little over 1,100."
To participate, girls sign a referral form, along with a parent and teacher, guidance counselor or religious leader. At the event, each girl is assigned a fairy godmother, who helps her select styles from more than 2,500 dresses. Once it's determined whether alterations are needed -- Operation Glass Slipper takes care of those, too -- girls go on to select accessories and cosmetics.
"It looks like a department store," Pam says of the 5,000-square feet they occupy at the Mall of America during pre-prom season. "We set up boutique areas, and you feel like you're having great experience, and that's what we want you to feel. We want you to know whatever size you are, you are beautiful."
Pam says it's the excitement and gratitude from the girls -- and their mothers -- that keeps her inspired.
"They're very grateful and they're hugging and kissing the fairy godmothers," Pam says about the recipients. "But the mothers, really financially, understand that it's a great relief to know that your daughter is going to prom in style and we probably saved them $400, easily."
Pam says the girls will often send pictures, but it's the parents and teachers that show another level of appreciation.
"We constantly get comments from women who are in their 50s or 60s who say, 'oh, I wish you had been around when I was a teenager, I didn't get to go, we didn't have the money,'" she explains. "It's remained fun and emotionally rewarding."
Pam's Daughter Emily Says: "I really admire her commitment to this and her persistence with making things happen and helping out the girls. It's the small stuff that she'll do. Our house is covered with dresses -- always -- because she will go over the dresses that have been donated, and if some of them need re-beading or need to be washed to get stains out, she'll spend hours doing that. I look at that as really tedious work but she does it because she doesn't want any of the girls to ever be ridiculed at their prom for not having the perfect dress. She's selfless and it's really humbling."
Recognition: People magazine dedicated a two-page spread in its May 25, 2009 issue to Pam and Operation Glass Slipper.
Pam's Guilty Pleasure: Chocolate
Pam's Best Advice: "When you do something in life, be passionate about it so that you really look forward to getting up every day. And it doesn't involve a big salary because I don't get anything for this. I just think you have to love what you're doing.
Related: Amazing Mom: Maggie Dammit
Want to see who else made the list? Click here for the rest of AOL's 2010 Amazing Moms!
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ReaderComments (Page 1 of 2)
5-09-2010 @ 8:14PM
gwalk418 said...yeah, well that is her story. Personally I think men are pigs. Mothers Day? What about respect for lesbians. We are not the breeders who are making a garbage dump out of the world from overpopulation. A box of chocolates and a nightgown, pappa? Well I can tell you what you can do with that!!
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5-09-2010 @ 8:47PM
Robin said...You sound like a very angry person...I do not see myself as a "breeder" but as a mother to my children...I sincerely hope you find some happiness.
5-09-2010 @ 8:54PM
KJ said...To Gwalk418. Your comment had nothing to do with this amazing story of some one that cared about others besides herself...same cant be said for you. There are other ways to promote your cause other than being a small minded bitch. I suggest you find some happiness in life and I really hope you do because no one deserves to go through life being as angry as you are. I would say God bless you but since your lesbo thats a waste..
5-09-2010 @ 9:49PM
smiles35 said...oh my gosh...how awful are you??? I am a very happy mother of 2 beautiful daughters that are 3 & 5. Sure, life, has sent me lots of lemons but it is what you make out of it. Most women will agree that men are quite different from us and can be utterly annoying but I will take that anyday over being an angry, unfulfilled lesbian!
5-10-2010 @ 12:56AM
Tracy said...There are many gay people that have children and celebrate because their family loves them. I happen to have a gay brother a gay cousin and a cousin who has had gender reassignment. Thank God our family loves with no conditions. When I introduce my brothers partner I introduce him as my brother in law and my brothers partner. I am not ashamed and could give a damn what others think. Thank god my gay friends don't think of us as breeders we simply accept each other as we are. This Women has done something selfless and is being recognized for it. It's a shame you can't recognize a good hearted person through all your hate. Look in the mirror and change they self and maybe more people will accept you.
5-10-2010 @ 4:11AM
EliaGabe'sMom said...Mother's Day doesnt mean anything to you, but you did have a Mother and I hope that you had a nice mom, and celebrating your mom for 1 dy. isn't a negative thing.
Why the anger, you're not a mom, if this day doesn't pertain to you, if you feel strongly about celebrating Lesbian's, then why not campaign to have a special day of recongnition for them. This is about Mom's, not Lesbians. Stop being for negative. You come off as a very angry woman.
All men are not pigs, you have particular issues with men, and I'm sure there are reasons for that, but there are alot of good men out there. To generalize is counter-productive.
If there were no mothers, there would be no lesbians born.
5-10-2010 @ 5:37AM
Simzee said...Perhaps all of you fine people are missing a point here. Not all Mothers are nice people. Take mine for instantce. She's mean mentally to the point I get physically ill. My mom would LOCK me in a room when she wanted peice & quiet. My moms fave thing to do was "run" her mouth. One time she ran her mouth so bad my Dad had a BB gun to her head. There I am, a real little kid, wishing he pulled the trigger. For all appearances, you'd all think she's the most wonderful woman in the world. (You'd easily buy into her with her tears) Just remember, not all moms are nice people. I hope my Mom sees this.
5-10-2010 @ 10:52AM
michelle said...you are a complete freak and deserve all the misery you have in life! Bless this woman and all that she has started.
5-09-2010 @ 8:15PM
erin said...thats awesome.. you go girl!
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5-09-2010 @ 8:17PM
Michelle said...What an excellent thing. I wish we had this in 2008, when I went to Prom. It was expensive. Thank you for doing this, so all teenagers can afford to attend their Prom.
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5-09-2010 @ 9:30PM
Riognach said...Pam, what a wonderful idea! What a great way to help young women who want to be Cinderella for an evening and can not afford it otherwise. As for GWalk, please get some help for yourself. Whether women are straight or lesbian, there is no need for such rage. You must be a very unhappy person, and most likely make those around you unhappy. It's OK to be who you are, and possibly you never wished to attend a Prom. But allow others to be who they are also. Many of us went and had a great time. How sad to want to go and have to miss it for lack of finances. I hope you can learn to drop some of that anger of yours. It's too a heavy burden for you to have to carry. And Pam... keep up the excellent work!
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5-09-2010 @ 9:48PM
Celia said...What a wonderful family! You and your family are the best! Please keep the love going you are truly amazing and you have my respect totally!
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5-09-2010 @ 10:02PM
brenda said...Thank God for people like you, and Emily! I was able to send both of my girls (4) times each, but , I would scrimp for their proms, dresses, dates, the whole 9 yards! My point is that I really couldn't afford them, but did not want them to know. I had to do a lot of bill juggling, if you know what I mean. Well, I will tell you that when they started college, and learning about money on their own, they both sent thank you cards! They finally saw the big picture! I think what you are doing is GREAT! Somewhere in the shuffle, their were 8 dresses that had been worn ONE TIME!! But, thank you for what you are doing! You sound like a wonderful lady!
GOD ~ BLESS!!
brenda
bbab777@aol.com
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5-09-2010 @ 10:05PM
Kate said...I started a program here in East TN doing the same things 2 years ago; after job loss and high unemployed. Watching the young ladies and MEN (yes this year we provided a few suits and tux rentals).. strut their stuff on Prom Night is worth it all. We even partner with beauty shops to do hair, and this year we had a photographer to do photos at a low fee of $14.00 per package, florist to provide corsages for $5.00 ..... to learn more about our program... go to www.cccathens.org and lick on prom ministry... go to bottom of screen to view news clips... Pam from one prom gown give away organizer to another... YOU ROCK!!
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5-09-2010 @ 10:40PM
1mom said...What a wonderful, selfless thing to do! Whenever I read a story like this I wish I could be that kind of mom. I also wish we had a program like this where I live. It's a high income area and I'm in the minority being a single mom of 3 kids living on a very low single income. I'm in the midst of looking for prom dresses with my daughter and the cost is brutal (not including accessories, shoes, haircut, etc.) on my income. We've tried consignment shops but they are cleaned out already. So to all you moms who saw a need and responded to it- you girls are great!! Keep up the good work!
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5-09-2010 @ 10:51PM
mary quitsch said...This was a very heart-warming story! This woman will be rewarded for her unselfish heart when she gets into heaven! Her daughter is truly blessed to have such a wonderful Mom & role model. It must be such a good feeling to know that you are helping these young girls to enjoy a very important event in their lives. Enabling them to walk into the celebration proudly & sure of themselves when mingling with their peers. Thank you for sharing this with us Mom's on Mother's Day!
You have made my day special to know that this world is filled with some very wonderful people! :)
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5-10-2010 @ 12:08AM
addy692002 said...gwalk418 - if you were trying for that whole "We lesbians are so underappreciated I'm fighting for some cause" blah blah blah spiel... it went more into the "I'm a selfish bitch with no point at all and I'm making lesbians look bad" territory instead.... it's people like you that shine a bad light on the GBL community as a whole and quite frankly disappointing to see. I also agree with the people who've said they hope you lose that bitterness....
but as for "KJ" - "I'd say God bless you but since you're a les it'd be a waste" - you're absolutely no better at all! gwalk may be out of line and bitter but that gives you NO right to stereotype the GBL community like that or insult someone's religion (if that is indeed hers) just because of their sexual orientation. I bluntly don't give a damn what your viewpoints are on that - you have the right to your opinion just like anyone else - but I CAN say you're completely out of line and making yourself to be just as much of a bitter unfulfilled b*tch as she seems to be - and if that's not the case then I suggest you prove it instead of being so damned closed-minded and petty enough to sink to that level.
As for the STORY that the comments SHOULD be about... I'm glad the woman's doing what she is and it's nice to hear about someone caring about others and teaching that value to their children.
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5-10-2010 @ 12:12AM
Carol Stout said...It is a good thing that I didn't feel that I wanted to go to my High School Prom because if I had my parents would have to have told me that they could not afford it and even with the babysitting money that I occassionally managed to earn I could not have afforded it either. The main reason I really didn't care to go to my Prom (besides the expense of it) was that I had attended 3 different High Schools durring my High School years and since I was a very shy person at that time I hardly knew anyone at the last two High Schools that I went to and I really had a hard time fitting in. I would have had an even harder time fitting in to a prom without a proper prom dress. I am the oldest of 8 children and my parents were working as hard as they could just to feed and clothe all of us.
My own daughter never had a Prom to attend because she never graduated from High School but she did enter a program to get her GED and she did get it before she would have graduated from High School. The program that she got her GED through did have a party for those kids at least. I'm glad she didn't need a prom dress because I couldn't have afforded to get her one at the time. My son did have a prom when he graduated from High School but he had to pay for everything himself with money he had earned at various jobs. There was no way that I could help him. I was a single mom at that time struggling to raise 3 children (1 of whom was both physically and mentally challenged) so I had my hands full. At least all of my kids grew up to be good, decent adults even though we had our difficulties. I am sure that all of my kids would have really appreciated having a program like this around to have helped them out when they needed it. I know I would have appreciated having a program like that around to have made it where I could get my kids something nice to go to a prom in or even just to the party that my daughters class had for her.
I am sure that many girls and their parents appreciate this program. I hope that at some time you can add something for the boys to as they would appreciate it to.
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5-10-2010 @ 1:23AM
Karen B. said...For the lesbian who inadvertently commented on "mothers day" your sorry muff diving butt would NOT be present if some "mother" had not pushed your demented circus side show into this world--I presume you never had use for the prom dress deal; let's guess you were born to wealthy parents but were so damn ugly no man would get near you and your doting parents allowed you to idolize yet another ugly hairy one of you. Shovel your chit somewhere else this is not the place for it.
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5-10-2010 @ 12:53AM
Karen B. said...And not to let these "other ladies" off the hook for those who never could afford this or that for their kids and yet were "single mothers" having 3, 4 and 5 kids did you not figure out what was wrong as you proceeded down poverty lane? That American tax payers now overstressed by this piss poor excuse for a President ruining our country and economy will soon have gals like you strapped into harnesses for your welfare checks? I cannot believe replies from dykes who are jealous of the human race but won't admit a heterosexual had to whelp them to get them born so they could practice deviant sex, and then the welfare mommas with 5 kids and still look around to say "who's your daddy?" Get a life and try working for a living not to mention getting therapy whether you are same sexing it or just over sexing it with 1,000 men none of which love you or those pups in your litter!
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