Where to eat and what to see to support Seattle women.
By Charlie Lahud-Zahner
From longstanding Three Girls Bakery (1514 Pike Pl Stall #1), the first business licensed to a Seattle woman in 1912, to Olympic Gold Medalist, two-time Women’s World Cup Champion, and feminist icon Megan Rapinoe, the Emerald City is home to empowered and entrepreneurial women; in fact, Seattle has America’s highest number of women-owned businesses, at 40 percent, according to MagnifyMoney’s 2019 survey. Support some of the fantastic woman-owned eateries in the city and engage with forward-moving women Seattleites.
Renee Erickson Photo Carlton Canary
EAT
Renee Erickson
It’s no accident that General Porpoise (various locations) boasts some of the best doughnuts around. Owner Renee Erickson is a James Beard Award-winning restaurateur who has perfected lush fillings like vanilla custard, chocolate marshmallow, and seasonal flavors for these puffy treats. Stop in for a mid-morning snack and a cup of coffee, from pour over and drip to espresso and draft cold brew.
Milagros Apostol
For a flavorful lunch, find family-owned Oriental Mart (1506 Pike Pl, Ste 509), a Pike Place Market fixture for nearly 50 years. This counter, tucked in the same building as Three Girls Bakery at Pike Place and Pike Street, features Filipino fare with a Northwest twist. Be sure to try the chicken adobo or salmon sinigang to warm up on a chilly winter day. Fun fact: Owner Milagros Apostol’s first employees were her six (adult) children, two of whom still help run the shop.
Monica Dimas
Lauded chef Monica Dimas serves modern Mexican cuisine at her Little Neon Taco Pop Up at La Dive (721 E Pike St). Hunting for hot tacos and cold horchata? This innovative menu tops house-made corn tortillas with everything from carnitas to lengua to mushrooms, so good that every day feels like Taco Tuesday. Bonus: La Dive is a natural wine bar (two of the three co-owners are women) and can share ideas on which wines pair best with tacos.
Lindy West Photo Jenny Jimenez, courtesy Seattle Arts and Lectures
ENGAGE
Melinda French Gates
As co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Melinda French Gates is one of the most powerful and devoted philanthropists on earth. Learn how she and her team are responding innovatively to global issues of poverty and malnutrition at the Discovery Center (*440 Fifth Ave N), which is free to the public and located next to Seattle Center.
Note: The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Discovery Center is temporarily closed, but is providing interactive virtual experiences.
LaNesha DeBardelaben
In the Central District, one of Seattle’s most diverse neighborhoods, tour the Northwest African American Museum’s (NAAM) (*2300 S Massachusetts St) Journey Gallery to learn about some overlooked portions of Pacific Northwest history. Director LaNesha DeBardelaben is shaking things up at this impressive showcase for African American history, from installing new flooring and overhauling the website to planning for future expansions.
Note: The Northwest African American Museum is temporarily closed, but is providing interactive virtual experiences.
Lindy West
Critiquing cultural issues with precision and levity, Seattle-born Lindy West has earned international recognition for her best-selling memoir, Shrill: Notes from a Loud Woman, recently adapted into the critically acclaimed Hulu show Shrill.
SEAforSHE
Ranked as the #1 city for women entrepreneurs, Seattle celebrates strong women and creates an environment for them to lead. From being one of the top cities for women in legislation to being consistently ranked in the top ten for share of women-owned businesses, Seattle is a beacon for female leaders to come together and share ideas. To learn more about Seattleites who will lead us into the future, check out Visit Seattle’s SEAforSHE initiative highlighting the essential work of female leaders and entrepreneurs.
*Visit Seattle Partner
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