Margaret Isely (August 13, 1921 – July 23, 1997) was an American businesswomen, organic food activist, nutritionist, political activist and peace activist. She is best known for founding the Healthy diet chain Natural Grocers in 1955 along with her husband Philip Isely.
Early life
Born as Margaret Ann Sheesley, on August 13, 1921, she grew up in
Illinois.
She worked as a waitress.
In 1946,
Birth of Vitamin Cottage
Margaret's journey into the world of nutrition began while working as an "Acting Dietitian" at the Antioch tea room and exploring the writings (the book
Let's Get Well) of influential and controversial nutritionist
Adelle Davis.
Her personal health struggles, including a chronic infection following the birth of her second child, led her to question Western medicine and seek alternative approaches for healing.
Margaret began incorporating an organic diet consisting of fruits, vegetables, naturally raised meat and dairy, and supplements, like fish oil.
Now it is run by the second-generation siblings Zephyr, Kemper, and Heather with more than 160 retail grocery stores in around 20 states of US.
Political career
In 1958, Margaret ran for the State Senate as independent for the "Conservation of Life".
In that same year, Philip Isely founded the World Constitution and Parliament Association (WCPA), a global organization dedicated to peace, justice, and sustainable development. Margaret was actively involved alongside her husband and played a pivotal role in promoting the WCPA's principles and advocating for a
world government that could address global challenges.
She served as executive member and treasurer of WCPA.
Their home was picketed after a local newspaper, the Jefferson Sentinel, accused them of being
Communism. "One of our neighbors had us investigated because we passed out literature for the Peoples World Parliament," said Margaret, "but the FBI gave us a clean slate as harmless
Pacifism."
Other
She has served in many food and industery related organizations:
-
President - Natural Foundation for Nutritional Research
-
President - Rocky Mountain Nutritional Foods Association
-
Executive council member - National Nutritional Foods Association.
She was inducted into the Natural Products Industry Hall of Legends in 2015.
Death
Margaret Isely died on July 23, 1997.
Legacy
The Margaret Ann Isely Foundation was established by her family and friends to fund projects that were important to Margaret.
This included the establishment of a nonprofit alternative health clinic in Colorado and a
phytoplankton growing project aimed at mitigating global
climate change.
See also
-
Natural Grocers
-
World Constitution and Parliament Association (WCPA)
-
World Constitutional Convention
