Celebrating Women in the Coffee Industry
Women make up 70% of the workforce in coffee production as of 2023 yet have lower access to resources and often face gender inequality. As we celebrate Women's History Month, it's the perfect time to shine a spotlight on the remarkable women who have shaped the coffee industry throughout history. From Ethiopia to Brazil, women have played pivotal roles in every aspect of coffee cultivation, production, and consumption. As we celebrate Women's History Month, let's take a journey back in time to explore the pivotal roles that women have played in cultivating, roasting, and serving the beloved beverage we all know and love.
Key Moments for Women in Coffee:
17th Century: In Yemen, women were involved in coffee cultivation, often responsible for harvesting coffee cherries by hand during the harvest season.
Late 19th Century: Women began to participate in coffee cultivation on a larger scale as coffee plantations expanded in regions like Brazil and Central America during the era of European colonization.
Early 20th Century: The emergence of women-owned coffee businesses became more prevalent, with women like Maria da Penha in Brazil and Gregoria Apaza in Bolivia establishing their own coffee enterprises.
1950s-1960s: The International Women's Coffee Alliance (IWCA) was founded to empower women in the coffee industry, providing training, resources, and networking opportunities for female coffee farmers and entrepreneurs.
1980s: Women gained prominence as baristas and coffee professionals, with competitions like the World Barista Championship (WBC) providing a platform for showcasing their skills and expertise.
1990s: The specialty coffee movement gained momentum, and women-led roasteries and coffee shops began to emerge, challenging traditional gender roles in the industry.
2000s: Women's leadership in sustainability and social responsibility became increasingly recognized, with organizations like Fair Trade USA highlighting the role of women in promoting fair trade practices and community development.
2010s: Women continued to break barriers in the coffee industry, with initiatives like the Partnership for Gender Equity (PGE) working to address gender disparities and empower women throughout the coffee supply chain.
Present Day: Women play integral roles across all aspects of the coffee industry, from farming and processing to roasting, brewing, and leadership. Their contributions continue to shape the future of coffee, promoting sustainability, equality, and excellence in the global coffee community.
A Few Women owned coffee businesses You can support:
Kahawa 1893 - African Woman owned coffee brand
Coffee Canasta - Latina Woman owned coffee brand
City Girl Coffee - Women owned sustainable and responsible coffee brand
Rising Tide Roast Collaborative - Female owned roastery in Austin, Texas
Convivio Cafe - Guatemalan Women owned coffee shop in Denver, Colorado
Copper Door Coffee Roasters - Women owned coffee roaster in Denver, Colorado
The Chain Collaborative - Woman owned non profit organization
Revival Coffee - Latina Woman owned coffee shop in Austin, Texas
And so many more….
As we reflect on these facts, we're reminded of the amazing contributions of women to the coffee industry. Women have left an irreplaceable mark on every aspect of coffee culture. This Women's History Month, let's celebrate their achievements, honor their legacy, and continue to support their empowerment within the coffee community and beyond. Here's to the women of coffee – may their impact continue to inspire us all.
