About Us
“Always reach back and pull the next person up. Never forget who you are and where you came from.” Ivy Goolsby.
Ivy Arlinda Goolsby spent her life lifting others.
Born and raised in Long Beach, California, Ivy believed that success was never meant to be kept to oneself—it was meant to be shared. Throughout her life and community leadership, she worked tirelessly to open doors for others, particularly women striving to build stable and independent lives.
One of her proudest accomplishments came during her time as President of the Women’s Business Council of the Long Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, where she helped establish a fund to support women transitioning from shelters into the workforce. She understood that something as simple as having the right clothing could restore confidence and create new opportunities.
After Ivy passed away two years ago, her daughter sought a meaningful way to continue her mother’s work and honor the values she lived by.
Ivy’s Closet was born from that vision.
The organization provides professional and everyday clothing to women who are rebuilding their lives and preparing to step back into the workforce. More than clothing, Ivy’s Closet offers encouragement, dignity, and the reminder that every woman deserves the chance to move forward with confidence.
Through Ivy’s Closet, Ivy Goolsby’s legacy continues—helping women stand tall, pursue opportunity, and reach back to lift others as they climb.
Ivy’s commitment to uplifting others was reflected throughout her remarkable career and lifelong service to the Long Beach community.
A proud alumna of Long Beach City College, Ivy later studied Early Childhood Education at UCLA. She began her professional career in 1971 in the telecommunications industry, first working at GTE (now Verizon). Over the years, she advanced into several leadership positions in the corporate sector before retiring in 2000.
Retirement marked the beginning of a new chapter. Ivy entered the field of real estate and real estate investment, where she continued to thrive as a business leader. She later served as Director of the Long Beach Division of International Realty and Investments, helping others build stability and opportunity through property ownership and investment.
In addition to her professional success, Ivy dedicated countless hours to community leadership and civic engagement. Her service included roles with organizations such as: - Board of Trustees – St. Mary’s Medical Center (Dignity Health), Long Beach
- Long Beach City College Board of Governors
- Board of Trustees – Long Beach Museum of Art
She was also a co-founder of Long Beach City Legacy and a strong supporter of numerous community organizations, including the Forgotten Images Museum, WIN, NAACP, Freedom Schools, and the Andy Street Community Association.
A trailblazer in business leadership, Ivy became the first African American President of the Women’s Business Council of the Long Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, where she championed initiatives that expanded opportunities for women./
Her life was guided by a simple but powerful belief:
“Always reach back and pull the next person up. Never forget who you are and where you came from.”
Today, through Ivy’s Closet, her spirit of generosity, leadership, and empowerment continues to inspire and support women as they rebuild their lives and step confidently into their future.