My name is Gina Keatley and I happy to claim that I am a women pioneer. No, I am not from the generation of bra burning and street protests but I am also not from the generation where gender is an after thought either. I have been a professional chef for over a decade and love to see how much has changed in the world of food in such a short time since I started my career. Women are now being recruited for spots as executive chef and not set aside as option B’s.
After breaking into the much male dominated world of food I recognized that the sector I wanted to conquer next was public service. I combined my skills as a chef and nutritionist as well as my childhood experience of direct poverty to create Nourishing USA an award winning community food program.
Nourishing USA is a not-for-profit 501 (c)(3) community food program that strives to achieve “nutrition for all” in New York City. Our mission is to alleviate the strong correlation between low-income status and poor dietary health.
I have always enjoyed a challenge and running a community food program in the worst economic downfall since the great depression gives me truly challenging obstacles to overcome. I think what it comes down to is that girls have the power as does anyone to choose their own path.
If you choose to see obstacles as opportunities you will learn to be the successful and become the sculptor of your life and not just passively reactive. If you have some time come volunteer at Nourishing NYC USA or donate online at www.nourishingusa.org and come help to Feed, Educate and Advocate for those most in-need.
Find me at: www.nourishingusa.org
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3bocMVnGsfA
1 comment
gretchen
Gina – I absolutely adore your story and what you are doing with Nourishing NYC. As a person with food intolerances, I totally understand the value of nutrition and teaching others to eat properly. You are making an amazing difference in the world!
As for your initial comments about women being set aside as chefs, I wrote an article about that when I first created the chef design because I had several people look at me funny when I said there weren’t very many women chefs.
Please keep us posted on Nourishing NYC. My family is planning a trip to NYC in a year or so and I would love to stop by and volunteer.