WICP First Annual Panel Event, April 2019

What We Do

We host (or co-host) events

Our first goal was to host one annual panel event. In April 2019, we did that — we invited 4 women from different countries, Nicaragua and Guatemala, to come to NYC for a few days, in 2 sets of pairs from the same region and organization. We covered all transportation and lodging costs. Over the course of that visit, we tasted coffee, we hosted a panel to talk about their roles, and throughout we explored our common or disparate experiences in coffee. Most importantly, we spent time together, the first step toward radical transparency — having conversations with each other.

Since the pandemic, we’ve had to adapt. Now, we host virtual panel events throughout the year, as well as other regular initiatives:

The rest of the year we fundraise and engage with our community through tastings, talks, or other outreach efforts. We host cupping to celebrate coffees produced by women, we moderate panel events to examine how gender equity is expressed in different areas of the sector, we plan fundraisers to benefit other organizations, and we sometimes brew coffee for roasting companies in order to network with other women in agriculture and hospitality.

We read things & share them

We are a resource. We are often reading articles, essays, reports, and research presented by others, and we try to glean useful information to support and encourage gender equity awareness and involvement and share them to continue the cycle of active energy.

We don’t fear passive people, but we do fear a passive approach to this issue. We want to engage with change, active listening, and active pursuit of growth. We believe there is a spark to ignite a call to action for every human on earth. The entire coffee sector needs to stay attuned to how year over year the definition of “growth” fluctuates for the industry, and for women everywhere.

If you would like to learn more about what to read, what to do, or how you can engage with gender equity in your own supply streams or professional life, get in touch.

we support orgs supporting women

Our focus is radical, though subtle in the day-to-day workings of the coffee industry. We are always open to financial support for our work (you can donate here), but we spend much of our year raising awareness for organizations that have a direct impact on women in coffee-growing regions.

If you would like to raise funds for gender equity, link a retail offering to a charitable donation, make a gift in someone’s name, or rally your staff or team around supporting gender equity, see this list of organizations that merit your attention.

Founder Amaris Gutierrez-Ray, New York Coffee Festival 2019