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Margaret Isely (August 13, 1921 – July 23, 1997) was an American businesswoman, organic food activist, nutritionist, political activist and peace activist. She is best known for founding the health food chain Natural Grocers in 1955 along with her husband Philip Isely. She was co-founder of the Global Ratification and Elections Network (GREN) and World Constitution and Parliament Association (WCPA) 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, while pursuing a business degree at Antioch College, Margaret met Henry Philip Isely, who had previously served prison time as a conscientious objector during World War II. They married June 12, 1948.

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. Embracing this regimen, her health improved significantly. Margaret and her husband, Philip, recognized the potential health benefits of natural eating. They began distributing nutrition books and taking supplement orders door-to-door, laying the foundation for their business. Their dedication and perseverance paid off, and by 1958, they opened their first health food store called the Builder’s Foundation in Lakewood, Colorado. In 1963, the Iselys converted a cottage-style house into their new store, inspiring the name change to Vitamin Cottage.

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 surved as executive member and treasurer of WCPA. Their home was picketed after a local newspaper, the Jefferson Sentinel, accused them of being communists. "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 pacifists."

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

References

1. "Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage filed a successful public offering". The Denver Post. 2012-07-25. Retrieved 2023-05-19.
2. "Celebrate Mother's Day with Natural Grocers® – Company Announcement - FT.com". markets.ft.com. Retrieved 2023-05-19.
3. ^ "Margaret Ann Isely Sheesley :: iseli.org :: The home of the Iseli's". www.iseli.org. Retrieved 2023-05-19.
4. ^ CNBC.com, By Jeremy Quittner, special to (2015-06-23). "8 companies poised to disrupt their industries". CNBC. Retrieved 2023-05-19.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
5. "Search the People of Antioch College Alumni Association". alumni.antiochcollege.edu. Retrieved 2023-05-19.
6. Antonation, Mark. "Vitamin Cottage Natural Grocers Celebrates Sixty Years Next Week". Westword. Retrieved 2023-05-19.
7. "Natural Grocers Invites You to Pamper Mom on Mother's Day – Pagosa Daily Post News Events & Video for Pagosa Springs Colorado". 2023-05-04. Retrieved 2023-05-19.
8. Staff, Produce Business (2023-05-16). "The Heart Of The Natural Grocers Experience". Produce Business. Retrieved 2023-05-19. {{cite web}}: |first= has generic name (help)
9. "NGVC - Natural Grocers By Vitamin Cottage Inc Company Profile - CNNMoney.com". money.cnn.com. Retrieved 2023-05-19.
10. "Natural Grocers Shows Employee Appreciation Throughout February". Progressive Grocer. Retrieved 2023-05-19.
11. ^ "Expo West 2015: the award winners were..." New Hope Network. 2015-03-24. Retrieved 2023-05-19.
12. World Union. World Union. 1982.
13. Bay-Hansen, C. D. (2011). Power Geopolitics in the Pacific Age: East Asia, the United Nations, the United States and Micronesia at the Edge of the 21st Century, 1991-2001. First Books. ISBN 978-1-59299-580-6.
14. Chitkara, M. G. (1999). World Government and Thakur Sen Negi. APH Publishing. ISBN 978-81-7648-032-1.
15. The Nation. J.H. Richards. July 1968.
16. "67 Things You Didn't Know About Natural Grocers | Natural Grocers". www.naturalgrocers.com. Retrieved 2023-05-19.
17. ^ "Hall of Legends welcomes 12 honorees at Expo West 2015". New Hope Network. 2015-03-07. Retrieved 2023-05-21.
18. "Natural Grocers History: Founding, Timeline, and Milestones - Zippia". www.zippia.com. 2020-08-27. Retrieved 2023-05-19.
19. "Ahead of the Curve". Retail and Restaurant Facility Business. 2016-10-19. Retrieved 2023-05-19.
20. "Pueblo gets a healthy dose". Pueblo Chieftain. Retrieved 2023-05-19.
21. "The Phytoplankton Fertilization Project". 2005-01-01. Archived from the original on 2005-01-01. Retrieved 2023-05-20.
22. Ećimović, Timi; Stuhler, Elmar A.; Vezjak, Marjan (2000). Anthology: SEM Institute for Climate Change. 1. Rainer Hampp Verlag. ISBN 978-3-87988-501-5.
23. "Margaret Ann Isely Sheesley :: iseli.org :: The home of the Iseli's". www.iseli.org. Retrieved 2023-05-19.

• 1921 births
• 1997 deaths
• American businesspeople in retailing
• American retail chief executives
• Businesspeople from Colorado
• Retail company founders
• 20th-century American businesspeople
• Women in Colorado politics
• People from Henry County, Illinois