Many women around the 901 are making a positive difference in the city. From unique stores to helpful organizations, there’s no shortage of entrepreneurs in Memphis who have brought soul to the city in many ways. For Women’s History Month, we wanted to highlight some of the women who are making their stamp on the Bluff City.
Elaine Lee Turner of Heritage Tours
Elaine Lee Turner’s interest in history inspired her to create Heritage Tours, a company that shares “stories of the African American history in Memphis, TN through guided tours.” From the STAX Museum to Slave Haven, these tours offer locals and tourists alike a chance to explore Memphis’s unique history and cultural impact.
Amy Pickle and Hannah Pickle of Raw Girls
The entrepreneurs from Raw Girls had an idea to serve organic, seasonal, locally grown, dairy-free, gluten-free, and refined sugar-free foods and drinks to the greater Memphis area. From savory soups to delicious desserts, you can find a wide selection of products delivered right to your door with their box of prepared foods.
Kayla Gore and Ellyahnna C. Wattshal of My Sistah’s House
Kayla and Ellyahnna created My Sistah’s House to provide a safe haven for those in need around Memphis, particularly for transgender and queer people of color. Their emergency housing program also offers advocacy, legal, and multi-level resource assistance to help clients secure permanent housing and stable income, and they recently launched their Tiny Homes Project alongside these endeavors.
Rachel Mullen and Angelique (Gonzalez) Sloan of Primas Bakery + Boutique
These two cousins started Primas Bakery + Boutique to provide a space for delicious treats and boutique shopping. You can grab custom cakes, pastries, and more, all while looking through their unique offering of clothing and accessories. These entrepreneurs had a vision for a Mexican-style market and traditional pastries with a modern twist, and you can visit their store on Mt. Moriah.
Claudia Haltom and Nikki Gibbs of A Step Ahead Foundation
Claudia Haltom founded A Step Ahead Foundation to provide women in Memphis with access to long-acting, reversible contraceptives (LARCs) at no fee. And as the Executive Director of this organization, Nikki Gibbs has helmed new programs, like Teen Talk, and driven scholarship upgrades to support the women of Shelby County in the past few years.
