Caffeinating Change: Celebrating the Women Who Shape the Coffee Industry

Rianna, Account Manager at Stokes Tea & Coffee

March 8th marks International Women’s Day (IWD), a global celebration of women’s achievements that has been observed annually since the 1970s, though its roots trace back to the early 20th century. IWD has long been a day to honour the social, political, economic, and cultural contributions of women, while also calling for action toward gender equality. This year’s theme, "Accelerate Action," urges us to speed up efforts to break down systemic barriers and empower women in all aspects of their lives. In honour of this, it’s fitting to spotlight the incredible women who power the coffee industry—from the farmers who grow our beans to the baristas who serve the perfect cup. This week, we celebrate their hard work and dedication and reflect on how they are brewing change and pushing for greater equality within the coffee world.

The Women Behind the Beans – Female Farmer

When we take that first sip of our morning coffee, it’s easy to forget the journey it took to get to our cup—and more specifically, the people behind it. Most of us probably don’t give much thought to where our coffee comes from or who helped create it, simply because these stories aren’t often shared. (If you’re curious about the journey of specialty coffee, check out our blog post on the topic!) However, it’s crucial to understand the significant role women play in the coffee industry, especially at the farming level. In fact, over 70% of the labour involved in fieldwork, harvesting, and processing is carried out by women—often working tirelessly behind the scenes to bring us the coffee we love.

Image: Omwani Coffee Comany

In stark contrast to the substantial role women play in coffee production, only about 20-30% of coffee farms are women-led or owned. This disparity can be traced to several factors, one of the most prominent being that in many countries, women are legally restricted from owning land or have limited rights to land ownership, even in cases of inheritance. In fact, more than half of all countries have laws or customs that prevent women from accessing or owning land. Another major barrier to women owning coffee farms is the lack of access to finances, education, and essential resources needed to run a successful operation. Additionally, women often face the challenge of balancing family responsibilities with the demands of managing a coffee farm. Sadly, gender-based violence and harassment remain prevalent in many rural coffee-growing communities. These challenges are deeply rooted in systemic misogyny, where men typically control finances—often including the incomes of women working on family-run coffee farms.

At Stokes, and within the broader coffee community, we recognize the importance of supporting women in coffee and are committed to sourcing from suppliers who share this value. That’s why we carefully select our green coffee suppliers, partnering with organizations like Omwani, who focus on empowering coffee farmers and producers across East Africa. For example, we source our Rwandan Rwamatamu specialty coffee from Omwani, who work closely with the family-run Rwamatamu farm in western Rwanda. This farm is deeply involved in social impact initiatives, including a women’s cooperative aimed at providing a reliable income for the seasonal female workforce in the Nyamasheke region. The cooperative offers hands-on training in planting, cultivation, and fertilization, empowering women to manage their own coffee plots independently. These women then sell their coffee back to Rwamatamu Coffee, ensuring a steady and sustainable income. Through initiatives like these, we are changing the landscape of coffee production, empowering women farmers, and ensuring the sustainability of the coffee industry.

Other organizations like the International Women’s Coffee Alliance (IWCA) play a crucial role in addressing the challenges women face within the coffee industry. Through a network of independent, self-organized, and self-governing chapters, the alliance works to promote equity in the coffee sector through education and advocacy.

From Roasters to Baristas – The Faces of Coffee Culture

Women across the coffee supply chain face a range of challenges, from the farms to the roasteries and cafes. While many may think that gender inequality disappears in the Western world, the reality is far from that. The coffee market in the UK has experienced significant growth, with the number of coffee roasters increasing from under 100 in 2014 to over 650 today. However, the percentage of female-owned coffee roasteries has only risen by around 10% during this time. Meanwhile, women make up 60-70% of the barista workforce in the UK, yet they remain vastly underrepresented in ownership and management roles. So, how is it that women play such a substantial role in the industry, yet still face such barriers to leadership?

Erna Knutsen, the pioneer who helped define specialty coffee (as we discussed in our specialty coffee blog post), fought against the barriers of her time back in the 1970s. She rose from secretary to founder of her own coffee company, Knutsen Coffee Ltd. In a world completely dominated by men, where coffee was a commodity traded on the stock market, Erna developed a strategy that set her apart—selling smaller lots of ‘specialty’ coffee to micro-roasters. During her early years in the industry, Erna faced blatant sexism. In one infamous moment, when she wanted to sample coffee she had sourced, she was forced to sit at her desk with the exporter while the men in the company roasted and brewed the coffee in the cupping room, a space considered off-limits for women. Her persistence eventually paid off, and in 1973, she was finally allowed a seat at the cupping table, where her reputation continued to grow.

Erna Knutsen Image: Owl Brothers Coffee Roasters

While it may seem like we’ve left such sexism behind in the coffee industry, the reality is more complicated. Theoretical barriers no longer exist, and women now have the legal right to take on roles in Quality Control, roasting, or as Head Baristas. But the numbers show a different story. It wasn’t until 2018 that Agnieszka Rojewska, an accomplished and highly decorated barista, became the first woman to win the World Barista Championship (WBC), a competition established in 2000. Agnieszka described this historic achievement as a way to create role models for female baristas in an industry that has long been dominated by men, saying, "My win means women can be more visible in coffee."

Similarly, in 2022, Claire Wallace made history as the first woman to win the UK Barista Championship, a victory that propelled her to a 2nd place finish at the World Barista Championship later that year. Claire now serves as Head of Quality at Assembly Coffee Roasters, where she showcases her expertise as a skilled barista, roaster, Q-Grader, and judge. She is a shining example of the remarkable achievements of women in the coffee industry. Women are not only elevating the quality of coffee but also challenging and dismantling gender stereotypes within the hospitality industry.

Celebrating Women-Led Coffee Businesses and Organizations

Despite women still being underrepresented in leadership roles within the coffee industry, there are organizations and businesses making a real impact and breaking the mold. The IWCA is one such organization, advocating for the empowerment of women coffee producers worldwide. Another notable example is Bean Voyage, which supports female coffee producers in Latin America by providing essential resources like training, mentorship, and access to buyers. Each year, Bean Voyage helps over 300 farmers through various programs, including financial assistance, educational resources, and their annual Women-Powered Coffee Summit.

At Stokes, we are committed to supporting our female staff in every way possible. We’re proud to share that 57% of our team across both wholesale and cafes are women, and an impressive 54% of our management roles are held by women—a significant achievement for a family-owned coffee roaster. Among them is Sarah Brooks, our Wholesale Sales Director, who brings over 26 years of experience in the coffee industry and now leads our entire wholesale and service department.

How We Can Support Women in Coffee

How can we support women in coffee and drive gender equality in the industry? Whether you’re a business owner, barista, or just a coffee lover, there are simple ways to make a difference. Start by choosing coffee from women-led brands or those with transparent supply chains, such as Stokes, that directly support female farmers. Educate yourself on the challenges women face in the coffee world by reading about their stories and learning more about the supply chain. Engage with events like International Women’s Day on social media, and actively support organizations such as IWCA or Bean Voyage. You can also attend women-focused coffee events like the Women in Tea and Coffee conference.

It’s time to recognize the invaluable contributions of women in coffee and celebrate their dedication and innovation—not just on March 8th, but every day. Together, we can help Accelerate Change and ensure a more equitable future for women in the coffee industry.

Image: Women in Coffee