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Tribune photo by Stacey Wescott
At 51, Joan Pikas founded The Enterprising Kitchen, a non-profit organization that provides women with life and work skills. A former elementary school teacher and software marketing entrepreneur, Pikas also taught a GED class, during which she realized a lot of women didn’t have the skills required by employers. The Enterprising Kitchen offers a six-month training program in which women earn minimum wage to produce handmade soaps and body care products. They are also paired with tutors, advisers and a social worker and they receive help finding other employment when they’ve completed the program. Now 58, Pikas says starting her own non-profit is ?the best thing I?ve ever done. I?ve met some of the most fascinating and strong women I?ve ever known, and I?ve learned so much from them. Every single day is very satisfying.? 
