The Pike Place Market celebrated International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month in March and took note of some of the female entrepreneurs who are represented at the Seattle institution. The Pike Place Market has over 250 women-owned businesses, from James Beard Award-Wining Chefs to world-renowned artists, generations of farmers, and first-time business owners.
This brilliant group of women has been instrumental to the Market’s success for over 100 years.
The Pike Place Market provided Northwest Prime Time with a list of some notable women at the market who are in our “over age 50” demographic.
With over 50 years in operation, this gallery booth showcases work from its all-women cooperative of 13 artists. Its founding members got their roots when the artists became involved with the movement to save Pike Place Market from demolition. Purchasing directly from the stall lets you skip the collector to receive the most affordable pricing for professional art, both elegant originals and small prints.
Inspired by her grandmother’s embroidery, Christine Vaughan prints her original designs by hand on floursack dishtowels. Besides being a long-time crafter, she’s devotedly invested in our Market community. She’s advocated for its traditions and empowered preservation from the top while serving as a PDA Councilmember for 8 years, and the Market Historical Commission for 7 years.
Since 1963, Lina Constantino has owned and operated Constantino’s Produce, one of the oldest produce vendors in Pike Place Market. Lina began working at the Market when she was 23, the day after she landed in Washington following her immigration from the Philippines.
Tamma Farra of Colors On Silk has been hand dyeing silk scarves since 1985. Her work has evolved over the years using a salt technique. Combining that with her endless experimenting of mixing colors, she finds the results are never boring.
Founder Pam Montgomery started Chukar Cherries with the simple mission to craft a dried fruit product without commercial preservatives. On their 100-acre orchard in central Washington, they began their journey to produce fruitful snacks, confections, and premium edible gifts. Their values have remained steadfast over 35+ years: quality ingredients sourced regionally or domestically, minimal sugar, no preservatives, and environmental stewardship.
Thank you to all the women of the Pike Place Market!
