Linda's Closet :: About Us

Linda’s Closet was founded in 2001, a grassroots effort to meet a real need in the region as a living memorial to the late Linda M. Oliver. Linda was a career professional with the NH Department of Health and Human Services. She died in December 1998 of ovarian cancer. She was a women of great style who wanted to assist women who, in her own words, “are trying to set goals for themselves.” She asked her family and friends to develop a clothing resource for women and to use her own clothing to help in the start up.

The need is great. Women who receive government financial assistance do not receive sufficient funds to pay for the clothing they need to interview for and maintain jobs. Their income pays rent, utilities, transportation, and clothing for their children. Moreover, as in the rest of the nation, the Monadnock Region has a large number of underemployed women, women working at minimum wage jobs. Linda’s Closet is available to assist women with each of these challenges.

The original Linda’s Closet “Steering Committee” obtained funding from The Ella Anderson Trust, the Women’s Fund of NH, and the Mondanock United Way. After operating as a traveling van, the Monadnock Federated Church of Marlborough was our first home, giving us free space in the church basement. A Winchester resident provided us with free storage space for off season clothing.

Today, we have a permanent store located just off downtown Keene on Center Street. The YMCA provides us space for off season storage. We continue to provide a needed and valuable service to women. For Linda’s colleagues, friends and family, Linda’s Closet is a dream come true.