International Women’s Day
International Women’s Day
Business Owners/Managers are Making Their Mark All Over, Including Right Here in Ellicottville
The number of women owned businesses continues to grow here in Ellicottville, with the newest edition being The Vintage Hairpin, owned by Rachel Galati. The hair salon opened for business this week at 23 Jefferson Street.
In a Forbes Oct. 2020 magazine, their writer points out that “role models matter, particularly for women,” stressing that “role models have an amplified benefit for women due to the gender biases, institutional barriers and negative stereotypes women have long had to contend with across a wide swathe of professional domains.” When young women see women rising on their own terms, it encourages them to follow their own dreams and ambitions. How? Role models show what is possible; they inspire girls and women to aim high; they demonstrate the “how” to do it.
Across America and worldwide, women are lifting and building women who will live bravely with indomitable will. Here, a local woman comes to mind: Edna Northrup. In her 95 years on this earth, Edna used logic and decisiveness along with the more feminine traits of intuition and emotional connection to get things done. Those of us watching her in action knew we, too, could accomplish our goals. She empowered us by hiking the entire Appalachian Trail, climbing to Mt. Everest Base Camp at 84, skiing to age 90, canoeing, hiking, fishing and just being our beloved Edna.
Our moms inspire us, if we are aware enough to recognize their strength and courage in everyday living (sometimes, barely surviving). I saw it in mine, and I learned from it. ellicottvilleNOW’s own Jessica Schultz shared that her mom is her hero. She joined the armed forces at 18 and became a helicopter mechanic, working and succeeding in a man’s world, and even having some crazy fun in the process.
Think of your own mom … the hurdles she jumped over, the adversity she faced. Mine worked as a “Rosie the Riveter” at Bell Aerospace during WWII, leaving three kids home with grandparents and transferring buses to get to her job, all the while worrying about my dad facing combat in the South Pacific. Yet, she somehow kept food on the table, her sense of humor, and her family protected from the horrors of the war.
Our community members are not immune from the devastation of cancer or serious illness. It is inspiring to watch them as they optimistically continue to show up, move forward with their lives, fight the good fight, and refuse to let the disease win. That’s courage in action, folks. We all can learn from those brave examples.
Some of these local women-owned businesses have been around for 30 years or more: Arlene Solly’s Kazoo II (716-699-4484) Laura Solly’s Daff (716-699-2293), Dina DiPasquale’s Dina’s Restaurant (716-699-5330), Suzanne Roberts’ Gado Gado (and now also an Intentional Living coach - 716-699-2128), Gretchen Mendell’s Nature’s Remedy (716-699-4372), Molly Colestro’s Molly’s Travel Agency (716-699-5847), Joan Ess’s Alexandra (716-699-5621), and Donna McFadden’s Plant People of WNY (716-307-3093).
If you wander through the streets of Ellicottville, you will find tucked away many small yet thriving businesses like Teresa Mercer Wagner’s dog grooming shop, Rover Makeovers at 16 Elizabeth Street (716-364-2302), Monica Harrington’s Reflections Hair Design (since 2002) at 39 Mill Street (716-699-8757), Reverend Suzy Woo’s Good for the Spirit Gifts (716-699-2871) and Betsy Peyser’s Betsy’s Consignments (since 1996) at 34 West Washington Street (716-699-6131).
You can’t miss the open firepit at Katy Arena’s Katy’s Café (since 2012) at Washington Square (716-699-8860). And Ellicottville boasts some newer businesses like Nicole Polino’s Flowers Off the Farm at 8 Bristol Lane (716-258-8655), Emily Tingue’s Lucky Day Homestead in Machias (716-353-0153), and several newbees - Suzie Ditcher’s SuzyDitcher Home combined with Life Coaching and Decluttering Services (716-570-1115), Modern Baby Company at 13 Monroe, owned by Alana Murray and Sydnie Beattie (585-322-2237), and Compass Cycle Studio at HoliMont owned by sisters, Ashley Biryla and Nicole Branagan. (585-270-5166)
Too numerous to name individually (but women no less amazing and awesome), Ellicottville is blessed with businesswomen who own shops and services providing the following: cupcakes and cookies, socks, wines and spirits, handmade flea-resistant pet collars, B&B’s, real estate, ice cream and candies, spas and massages, cleaning services, hair dressing and nail salons, ski equipment and servicing, fashions, plant care, race organizing, newspapers, graphic design services, photography, law, gifts, jewelry, crystals/energy healing, an IV Lounge, and even a female pediatrician. Ellicottville has it all! Apologies if we missed any.
Making their own mark on history, these courageous and uncompromising women are making sure Ellicottville’s women’s history will never be erased. Here is a good read about women’s battle for recognition by Dr Nina Ansary - Anonymous Is A Woman.