Groundbreakers: The Women Changing the Culture of Coffee

Women play an integral role in every aspect of the coffee supply chain from farm to cup. They make up 70% of the labor in coffee production, run between 20 to 30% of coffee farms, and are increasingly working as roasters and cafe owners. Though there has been significant progress due to many initiatives and organizations prioritizing women in coffee, the supply chain is ripe with inequities. Women are typically seen in roles associated with quality control, while men own the land and are at the table when financial decisions are being made. Women’s pay reflects this division, as they do not have the same access to resources and lack opportunities to exercise their agency. In coffee shops, women still struggle to be recognized for their expertise since roasting and brewing coffee require technology and machinery that is still mostly regarded as men’s work. Despite the barriers that exist, women are forging paths, demanding their place at the table, and creating space for the women who will inevitably follow in their footsteps. 

I recently spoke about my book research at the International Women in Coffee Convention in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in October 2023.