About Us

Shanon and Denise started with a simple bake sale that blossomed into a community venture. Today, Great Dames Bakery not only sells cookies, bread, and dog treats, but also celebrates the extraordinary accomplishments of women shaping our world, the inspiration behind our name.

Together, these two Great Dames bring distinct strengths: Shanon, a graphic designer who blends artistry with strategy, and Denise, a counselor and business consultant who brings structure, efficiency, and the numbers know-how to help ideas grow. Inspired by family recipes and reimagined with a personal flair, they bake to bring a little sweetness into the homes of their Portland neighbors while honoring the power of women.

September 2025

DOLORES HUERTA

Dame of the Month

Each month we honor a living woman whose courage, creativity, or conviction is shaping the world today. From scientists to activists, artists to leaders, these Great Dames inspire us to rise, contribute, and live with purpose. At our bake stand and market pop-ups you’ll find a free sticker of our current honoree, a tribute to modern trailblazers making history right now.

  • DOLORES HUERTA

    Dolores Huerta - September 2025

    Dolores Co-founded the United Farm Workers with César Chávez, coined ‘Sí, se puede!’, and has fought for workers, women, and civil rights her entire life.

  • DOCTOR JANINE AUSTIN CLAYTON

    Dr. Janine Austin Clayton - August 2025

    Dr. Janine pushed National Institutes of Health policies making sex a key research factor, improving prevention & treatment for women.

  • EMMANUELLE CHARPENTIER

    Emmanuelle Charpentier - July 2025

    Emmanuelle co-developed CRISPR-Cas9, a groundbreaking gene-editing tool that revolutionized genetics and medicine.