International Women’s Day is celebrated this year on March 9, 2020 and Groveland is honoring our women business leaders all month. The Dalai Lama said, “the world will be saved by the western women.” Keep reading to learn more about the businesswomen of Groveland, CA.
Charlotte DeFerrari (January 1, 1883 – November 3, 1970) was born in Italy and arrived with her family for the gold fields. Her father was killed in a mining accident shortly thereafter, and Charlotte was left the sole provider for her younger siblings. She was well known for her cooking, and being an ambitious young woman, she originally opened the New Hetch Hetchy Restaurant. Charlotte later built the Hotel Charlotte and annexed the Gem Saloon next door to add a dining room and kitchen to her lodging establishment. Charlotte never married and was a beloved member of the Groveland community. The Hotel Charlotte and Tavern continues to operate today.
Mary Webb Laveroni (December 3, 1913 – May 21, 2011) was a longtime Groveland resident and one of its well-loved community leaders. She was passionate about education, health, and economy and was instrumental in bringing many services to the area throughout her life. Mary helped secure water from Hetch Hetchy Reservoir for Groveland customers who were using iron-rich water from the Del Monte Mine. She worked actively at the water district, and devoted her time serving on several community boards. Mary donated the land and financed the construction of the Groveland Family Medical Clinic, as well as for the Groveland Ambulance Station in 2002. In 2003, Wayside Park was renamed “Mary Laveroni Community Park” in her honor.
Joan Gisler is the proprietor of the unique downtown Groveland shop Ranch Revived, featuring specialty interior décor trending on rustic, ranch, and rural modern designs; many items are locally crafted and goods are American made. Joanie was raised locally on an authentic working cattle ranch in the 1960’s and continues the western heritage lifestyle raising cattle and riding horses. Ranch Revived opened in 2016, “bringing the ranch to town!” and is in a historic home dating to the late 1890’s on Main Street, Groveland. Joanie’s philosophy is to live in an honest and respectable fashion, adding a dash of moxie!
Cherie Rickett is the owner of Body Beautiful Salon and Spa, in business in Groveland for 20 years. It’s been a wild and exciting ride! She considers her greatest accomplishment raising three amazing generations of talented and successful hairdressers. Cherie continues to hone her craft while staying fierce, passionate, creative, and committed to the community.
Jenn Edwards is co-owner of the Groveland Hotel with her chef husband Doug. Jenn’s background in hospitality on private yachts, as well as her business acumen from helping run a wellness company in Seattle, have made owning a hotel in a tourist destination a natural for her – the accomplishment of a dream come true. As a mother of two small boys she is kept busy running after them, as well as the daily running of her successful business!
While you’re visiting Groveland, make sure to stop by these women-run businesses to see what they’re doing and how they’re helping to support and grow this community. Book a room at the Groveland Hotel for your stay.
