The Anticich Canning and Packing Company was founded and managed by Mary Skrmetti Anticich in Biloxi, Mississippi. Originally known as the Biloxi Packing and Trading Company, Anticich is significant because it was led and managed by a female owner. Mary Skrmetti Anticich was born in 1898 on the Isle of Brac, Croatia, and arrived in America at the age of two. She was instrumental in integrating her brothers, Paul and Marco Skrmetti, her sister Olivia Skrmetti Mavar and her brother-in-law, John Mavar into the seafood industry. In time, these three families operated factories side by side.
As documented in the Daily Biloxian newspaper, Mary was described as having early experience in the business world. At the age of ten, she assisted her father and uncles in business transactions by serving as an interpreter between her family and bankers and businessmen whose assistance they required. At such a young age, she was small enough to be placed on the table in the midst of all these towering businessmen. But Mary grew up quickly and carried this business sense with her. When the time came to start her own business, she went to multiple banks seeking a loan. When this proved to be unsuccessful, she visited a boat builder in Pascagoula and told him of her plan. He was impressed enough to build two boats for her, with the words “if you make it, you pay me, and if you don’t--you don’t.”
Following her marriage to Grego Anticich, Mary took over the Biloxi Packing and Trade Company in 1920, located at Biloxi’s Point Cadet. In 1924, the charter was amended and the name was changed to Anticich Packing Company. Grego maintained the mechanical components of the business while Mary oversaw the day to day operations. Their mission statement was to “own, operate and lease factories and canneries of packaged vegetables, fruits, oysters, fish, and shrimp.” Among other noteworthy achievements, their company was a leader in efforts to improve sanitation and other working conditions for their employees. As the driving force of the company, Mary Anticich was one of the few women in the industry to own and operate her own business. She followed the likes of Mrs. Sophie K. Desporte, Mrs. J.E. Wentzel, and Mrs. I. Heidenheim.
Following her marriage to Grego Anticich, Mary took over the Biloxi Packing and Trade Company in 1920, located at Biloxi’s Point Cadet. In 1924, the charter was amended and the name was changed to Anticich Packing Company. Grego maintained the mechanical components of the business while Mary oversaw the day to day operations. Their mission statement was to “own, operate and lease factories and canneries of packaged vegetables, fruits, oysters, fish, and shrimp.” Among other noteworthy achievements, their company was a leader in efforts to improve sanitation and other working conditions for their employees. As the driving force of the company, Mary Anticich was one of the few women in the industry to own and operate her own business. She followed the likes of Mrs. Sophie K. Desporte, Mrs. J.E. Wentzel, and Mrs. I. Heidenheim.
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