“A History of Women Hospitality Entrepreneurs,” a traveling exhibit to open next week in Illinois, will highlight several women—Mary Donoho, Donoho Hotel in Texas; Isabella Greenway who established the Arizona Inn in Tucson, Arizona; Jennie Grossinger who established Grossinger’s Resort in the Catskills; Joyce Chen, introduced Chinese cuisine and opened a restaurant in Harvard, Mass; Hattie Gray, who
opened Hattie’s Chicken Shack, Mildred Rowe (THE Mrs. Rowe) , and Harriet Moody who established a catering service in Chicago.
Jo, the librarian at (Lexington College http://www.lexingtoncollege.edu), the person in charge of the exhibit, writes: ” I think Mildred Rowe’s name surfaced because of your book, when I was doing general internet searching. After reading excerpts from your book I decided to pursue further. It definitely was a good choice on my part, both you and Mike have been very helpful.”
She explains that this project came about because the college offers bachelor and associate degrees in hospitality management. “We have begun an active program in entrepreneurship recently and I was looking for ways to expand our collection.”
Plans for the Exhibit:
The exhibit consists of four panels. Its first appearance will be at “Taste of Lexington”— an annual open house for parents, industry professionals, and friends of the college on Thursday, March 15th. In addition to this exhibit we will have a book signing by Chef Candace Wallace, herself a hospitality entrepreneur, with her new book: The Professional Personal Chef: The Business of Doing Business as a Personal Chef”. Two-hundred people are expected to attend.
So, how about that? I am so glad to know Mrs. Rowe is being honored and remembered for her contributions. It was against all odds that this funny little feisty mountain lady would build this extremely successful restaurant. Her story is timeless.
