On Wednesday, March 22nd, the Arizona Restaurant Association and the Phoenix Kitchen Cabinet coalition, along with women from the restaurant industry throughout Phoenix, presented the four Councilwomen of Phoenix (Kate Gallego, Laura Pastor, Deb Stark, and Thelda Williams) with the “Women’s Empowerment Award”. Dan Bogert, COO of the Arizona Restaurant Association presented the award, saying “from the revitalization of Terminal 3 & Terminal 4 restaurants at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport; to working with restaurateurs to create a bustling downtown restaurant scene; to the creation of the popular Roosevelt Row right down the street here, the four councilwomen here today are shining examples of the commitment our City has made to our industry and those who work in it.” 

March is Women’s History Month, and the National Restaurant Association has taken this month as an opportunity to honor the women who have played such a vital role in helping shape our industry. The restaurant industry has more women in management and ownership roles than any other industry in the country, close to 45% and more than half of all restaurants in the United States are owned or co-owned by women. Restaurants provide opportunities to women of all ages and at all stages of their careers, from students to retirees and servers to owners. In fact, sixty-one percent of adult women have worked in a restaurant at some point in their life, and 37% got their first job in a restaurant. 

The gathering also celebrated and recognized the many wonderful women of Phoenix’s restaurant industry. Women restaurant owners, management, and staff from around the Valley attended the event at the Phoenix restaurant Pizza People Pub, which is co-owned by MaryBeth Scanlon.