Levain Bakery follows in the footsteps of women's suffrage.

This article was written by Kaitlin Calogera, Founder of A Tour Of Her Own. December 14th, 2020.

When I think about Levain Bakery, my first thought is “women-owned in Georgetown.” This is my job after all, tracking all things women in Washington, DC. My immediate next thought is “I want that Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Chip Cookie, now!” I could talk all day about how their six-ounce cookies are delicious and irresistible, but in the spirit of women’s entrepreneurship, I prefer to share this hidden herstory instead. Behind every cookie at Levain Bakery is the story of two women who built a cookie empire.

 

Co-founders Pam Weekes and Connie McDonald left their respective careers in fashion and finance to open Levain Bakery (pronounced luh-ven) in 1995. Fashion and finance - it’s no surprise these women are New Yorkers and that’s where they opened their first shop, on West 74th Street to be exact. They would open up in seven different New York locations over the course of 25 years before moving to a new city. In September 2020, Levain Bakery opened her doors in Washington, DC and the lines outside their Georgetown shop immediately began to form.

 

 
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As part of the grand opening, I opted in to receive a special package from Levain Bakery and now I’m the proud owner of a pin that reads “World Peace: One Cookie at a Time.” It’s important to note that the bakery donates their extra products to charity at the end of every day. In doing my part for world peace, I ate my cookies, but it was another slogan that really caught my eye; “The cookie lover’s parade heads to DC.” Now here I am, eating my cookies and doing my princess parade wave all while attempting world peace. Levain Bakery brought me on a journey, all within this one package. That is the beauty of storytelling. 

 

My company, A Tour Of Her Own, shares women’s history stories on our walking tours throughout DC neighborhoods. We often find that the stories of our founding mothers match quite nicely with some of our local women-owned businesses. For instance, when we celebrate Levain Bakery in Georgetown, we most definitely have to acknowledge the famous chef and World War II spy who lived just blocks away. The house that Julia Child once lived in is painted the color yellow, like the butter she used when teaching us about the magic of cooking.

 
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I began to think about this idea of a “parade” and a story worth sharing came to mind. Let me introduce you to Rosalie Gardiner Jones, known as “The General.” She led nearly 50 women on a three-week parade in the name of women’s suffrage. On February 12th 1913, they left from Hudson Terminal in New York City and began their 170 mile route toward Washington, DC. The goal was to participate in the Women’s Suffrage Procession on March 3rd, 1913.

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“The Army of the Hudson” would encounter all sorts of obstacles along the way. Since the roads were covered in ice and snow, the ladies would combine travel by foot, train, and horse to reach their final destination. Colonel Craft insisted that the hike must be done solely by foot, so she walked up and down the aisles of the train to simulate the hike. In one instance, the women were walking outdoors when they were approached by a farmer. She passed out hard-boiled eggs and said to them, “Carry an egg in each hand. It will keep you warm. Then at the end of the day’s march, you can eat the eggs.” 

 

General Jones was known for motivating the women with tough love, words of encouragement, and messages of perseverance. After several women suffered injuries and illnesses, the General was quoted saying, “Let those who fall out return, but remember, our motto is “On to Washington.”

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I’m going to make a bold assumption that Pam Weekes and Connie McDonald did not march for three weeks in the cold and frigid temperatures to move Levain Bakery from New York to Washington, DC. I will declare however, that they can probably relate to physical challenge more than most people.

 

The co-founders of Levain Bakery are triathlon athletes and competitive swimmers. During their rigorous training sessions in the 80’s and 90’s, the two women passed the time by discussing their passion for becoming entrepreneurs. After thoughts of leading bike tours or selling athleisure wear, the two landed on the idea of a bakery. Soon after, they would begin to sell bread out of their Upper West Side bakery. 

 

So why are they known for cookies? It all started with their chocolate chip walnut cookie. Weekes and McDonald originally created this snack as an energy supplement for their training sessions. The cookies provided subsistence for long workouts and they were large enough that they would not crumble in a pack or packet. Most importantly, the chocolate chip walnut cookie was delicious and enjoyable. Just like that, their practical energy bars became a New York staple.

 

I’m left with two thoughts. First, I still want that peanut butter chocolate chip cookie. Second, imagine each of those suffragists marching to Washington, with one of Pam and Connie’s walnut chocolate chip cookies in each hand, energizing them for the suffrage parade and fueling these women for the long 72-year struggle for voting rights.

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