Gigi Kidwell has known no other life than one of giving. She has raised 10 children, three of which are her own natural born children. Gigi’s niece, Christina, was taken in by Gigi at the age of 15 and is now 23. Christina nominated Gigi for Sunny 95’s 20 Outstanding Women You Should Know because of all of the wonderful things that Gigi has not only done in her career, but her life as well.
Gigi is a reflexologist and currently lives in Washington Courthouse, Ohio. Reflexology is an alternative medicine practice that treats ailments such as arthritis, headaches, migraines and fibromyalgia by applying pressure to the hands and feet and gradually releasing the knots that have built up within the body.
On the 14 acre farm that Gigi lives, she has begun a program called Hartings Homegrown which aims to teach children how to give back to the earth through organic practices. Her farm produces organically grown vegetables and produce that she sells at farmers’ markets. Gigi has always had a passion for teaching her kids how important it is to be able to sustain themselves. All of Gigi’s children are able to cook, sew and clean.
One of Gigi’s most important relationships is the relationship that she has with Jehovah. Without His love, Gigi knows that nothing else would be here. Because of Jehovah’s gifts, Gigi realizes that she has an amazing support system of family and friends. When Gigi’s mother was going through radiation therapy, it was her friends who made an effort to support Gigi through the difficult time that she was facing. Each day one of her friends would take Gigi’s mother to her treatment and then out to lunch.
Gigi’s father was also one of Gigi’s most inspirational figures in her life. Even though he disliked organized religion, he always gave Gigi the same advice, “That thing you’ve got with Jehovah, don’t ever let anybody take that away from you.” Gigi knows that seeing her today and all that she’s done, her father would be extremely proud of her.
It’s difficult being a parent, Gigi says. She knows that anybody can be one, but it’s setting a proper example that is the difficult part. People tend to not want to sacrifice themselves, but they should stand up for what’s right, even if it’s hard to do.
When Gigi isn’t practicing reflexology or working in her organic garden, she educates others on the Bible. Doing this has made her strong she says, enough so to take care of her 10 children. She loves each and every one of the kids in her house and is extremely thankful that she is able to do all that she does. If Gigi didn’t believe in her mission to help others, she knows that she wouldn’t be where she is today.