Michie to speak at ABWA’s June meeting
The Sanibel-Captiva Chapter of the American Business Women’s Association (ABWA) invites all members and guests to the monthly meeting on Tuesday, June 14. The meeting will be held at the Sanibel Community House, at 2173 Periwinkle Way. Networking begins at 5:30 p.m., and the dinner/meeting begins at 6 p.m.
The June meeting presenter is Judy Michie, an active member of ABWA since 2003. She is the owner of Cottages To Castles located on Sanibel Island. Her background is in the restaurant industry and real estate. Judy will be speaking about her experience as a “Harvey Girl.”
The origin of the Fred Harvey Company can be traced to the 1875 opening of two railroad eating houses located at Wallace, Kansas and Hugo, Colorado on the Kansas Pacific Railway. In 1878, Harvey started the first of his eating house-hotel establishments along the AT & SF tracks in Florence, Kansas. The rapid growth of the Harvey House Chain soon followed. He is credited with creating the first restaurant chain in the United States. Harvey’s meals were served in sumptuous portions that provided a good value for the traveling public.
It has been suggested that the Harvey House originated the “blue plate special,” a daily low-priced complete meal served on a blue-patterned china plate. In 1883, Harvey implemented a policy of employing a female-only serving staff. He sought out single, well-mannered and educated ladies, 18 to 30 years of age, of good character, attractive and intelligent. The” Harvey Girls” were paid $17.50 a month plus room, board and tips to start, a generous income by the standard of the time.
To secure your reservation to be a part of this enjoyable evening, please RSVP to Gayle DeHaan-Garland (godehaan@comcast.net/) or call 239-565-7872 by Friday, June 10. The cost of the dinner is $20 per person.
The ABWA, which meets on the second Tuesday of each month at the Sanibel Community House, focuses on bringing together women of professional and business interests to provide opportunities for them to help themselves and others grow professionally through leadership, education, networking support and national recognition. All money raised is used to further the education of women through seminars, conferences and scholarships. The purpose of the networking time prior to the start of the meeting is to build networking skills and provide business enhancing opportunities for Sanibel and Captiva business women.
For more information about joining ABWA, please contact membership chair Barbara Boulton at 472-2929.