Women’s History Month is upon once again and this is a good reminder to praise our superwomen who are business owners, mothers, wives, leaders and even vice presidents of the United States.
In the food business, not a lot of attention is given to female food connoisseurs. We wanted to pay homage to both Women’s and Black History Months and feature a few women who have made an impact in our business.
For starters, our very own inspiration - Mary Lee celebrated her 99th birthday on Feb. 15, 2023. We even have a cake named after her - Mary Lee’s famous Lemon Cake! It’s soft, moist and packed with fresh, tangy, lemony flavor and has earned its place in our customers’ vegan hearts. Mary Lee changed to a majority plant-based diet at the young age of 97 and is becoming an inspiration to her doctors and family.
The same year that Mary Lee was born in 1923, Leah Chase was also born. She was a chef and civil rights activist, known as the 'Queen of Creole Cuisine.' Leah was co-owner and executive chef of the historic Dooky Chase's Restaurant in New Orleans, which was known as one of the few places that it was publicly okay for races to mix at. Leaders of the Civil Rights Movement, including Martin Luther King Jr., would often strategize while eating there. Disney has even made a movie with a character inspired by her: Princess Tiana of Princess and the Frog.
Fast forward many years and Tracye McQuirter, a vegan for 35 years, best-selling author, and award-winning public health nutritionist, has been a key driving the rise of veganism among African Americans during the past decade.
She launched 10 MILLION BLACK VEGAN WOMEN to help change the health paradigm of Black women for generations to come. They surveyed more than 600 participants in the first 21-Day Vegan Fresh Start and health benefits were unprecedented. Fifty-two of the participants had more energy, 68% lost weight and another 67% improved their general health.
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Please share with your friends and family that once they try Southern Roots baked goods, they will think this is “So Good, You Won’t Believe It’s Vegan.” Follow us on social and tag us at @SouthernRootsBiz.
