Going to a Gala and An Example of the Lack of Inclusivity in Professional Spaces

Recently, I go to go to a charity gala for the first time in my life.  This reminded me of another way in which many professions (but I'm speaking of legal since that's my field) are not being inclusive: having annual formal parties for the organizations where ticket prices are obscene and unaffordable.  I first encountered this in law school and it definitely gave me a very negative impression of what the legal field and my own law school thought of me or my relationship with my eventual husband (NOT a lawyer and definitely never made close to large law firm associate pay). This is the dress I wore to that charity gala as well as my wedding and a masquerade ball (where this pic comes from).  The scarf is very cool and I actually bought that dress off Amazon many years back.  The file was big but an example of the dress is really most relevant here.