Minna Shavitz -€“ 12-March-2001 -€“ Weaving Women's Words

About this film

Oral historian Marcie Cohen Ferris interviewed Minna Shavitz on March 12, 2001 in Baltimore, Maryland as part of the Jewish Womenâs Archive "Weaving Women's Words" project. A fixture at two of Baltimore's best-known and beloved restaurants, Minna Shavitz was influenced by the strong role model of her working mother, who owned and operated a dry goods store in Georgia with her father. Born in 1910, Min was raised in a small town outside of Atlanta, where hers was one of only two Jewish families. She was educated at Sullins College in Virginia and, in 1930, married Leon Shavitz, a traveling salesman who sold goods to her parents. After moving to Baltimore, they opened their popular restaurant and delicatessen, Nate's and Leon's, with partner Nathan Herr. Often working late into the night, Min found great satisfaction in her active work life and the dynamic social world of Nate's and Leon's and later, The Pimlico Hotel. Their daughters, Reta and Gail, frequently helped their parents at the restaurant, where Min worked as a cashier, hostess, and manager for over thirty years. A woman of charm, poise, and loyalty, Min continued to maintain an active social life in retirement, taking ple…

Directors & creators

Jewish Women's Archive

Subjects

Restaurant, Sullins College, Nate's and Leon's Deli, Pimlico Hotel

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