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Member Profile - Judy Wicks

51 years old; resident of Philadelphia, PA.
Founder and President of White Dog Enterprises, established in 1983, which owns The White Dog Cafe and The Black Cat, a retail gift store in Philadelphia.
Over 85% of Judy's employees are paid a living wage ($7.90 in Philadelphia). She has undertaken a plan to pay all employees at that level by 2000.
Was 1995 recipient of Business Enterprise Trust award for creative leadership in combining sound business management with social vision.
Vice-Chair of the Social Venture Network.
Founding member of Business Leaders for Sensible Priorities.

Judy Wicks, 51, is founder and President of White Dog Enterprises, Inc., established in 1983, which owns and operates the White Dog Cafe and The Black Cat, a retail gift store in Philadelphia. The corporation employs 100 full and part-time people with annual sales of over $4 million.

Over 85 percent of Judy's employees are paid a living wage ($7.90 in Philadelphia), a policy practically unheard of in the restaurant industry. She has started a plan to pay all her employees at least that much by the year 2000.

Judy is best known for blending food, fun, and social activism. In 1995 she won the prestigious Business Enterprise Trust award for creative leadership in combining sound business management with social vision. A cornerstone of her "fun with a purpose" philosophy is the White Dog's "Table Talk" series, where customers dine on gourmet cuisine while discussing progressive topics like income and wealth inequality with guest speakers.

Judy has committed much of her time to organizations that advance social and economic causes. She is an active member of Responsible Wealth, Vice Chair of Social Venture Network, and a founding member of Business Leaders for Sensible Priorities. She is also a Board member of Chefs Collaborative 2000, a member of the Penna. Women's Forum, and a member of Business for Social Responsibility.

Judy joined RW because she believes "increasing economic inequality in the US is the greatest threat to our democracy." She adds that "Responsible Wealth brings intelligence and good humor to this critical issue, and provides concrete ways in which we can work together for economic justice."

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