Catherine Gietka has been an entrepreneur and leader in Baltimore’s Fells Point neighborhood for more than 35 years. Her confectionary store supported the surrounding community and never turned anyone away hungry regardless of their ability to pay.
She has been an active parishioner of Holy Rosary Church where she has been a member of the choir. In an effort to support her church, she has run bus trips for 50 years and has donated all of the proceeds. She has demonstrated her leadership ability while serving as President of the Third Order of St. Francis, the Polish Women’s Alliance of America (St. Ann’s Group 702), and the Mary’s Fund Foundation. She has worked as a judge with the Democratic Club of Maryland.
Ms. Gietka raised 3 children, 5 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren, and authored her autobiography, Mother of $183 Million Winner.
She is bilingual – speaking both English and Polish. Her extensive travels have been both domestically and in Europe. She had bestowed upon her an Honorary Doctorate of Humanities from St. Thomas Moore College.
Submitted by: Maryland Women’s Heritage Center
