When Women Are Empowered, Communities Thrive!
IWCA connects women across the coffee industry throughout 40+ countries. Independent chapters lead this work in their communities. Together, we build relationships and connect communities with resources where they’re needed most.
Verified Impact
IWCA Mission
The International Women's Coffee Alliance (IWCA) unites a global network of chapters and supports the work and growth of women in the international coffee community.
WHAT WE DO
IWCA EVENTS & GATHERINGS
COFFEE AVAILABILITY LISTS
MEET THE CHAPTERS
IWCA IN THE NEWS
SUPPORT WOMEN IN COFFEE
Your Support Compounds Across 40+ Chapters
IWCA connects 40+ women-led chapters. Each chapter knows its community, its coffee, and what it takes to thrive there. IWCA Global builds the bridges between them, so what works in one country can take root in the next.
Join us in making a difference!
About IWCA
IWCA connects 40+ women-led chapters across the coffee value chain, so that when one woman gains skills, access, or a seat at the table, the gain compounds across her community and the industry.
How to Join IWCA
Membership in the International Women’s Coffee Alliance happens through our network of independent national chapters. Each chapter leads its own programs, activities, and member community—empowering women in coffee locally while staying connected to our global network.
If you’re interested in becoming a member, it’s easy to get started:
Tell us where you live.
We’ll connect you directly with the leaders of the IWCA Chapter in your country (or the nearest one if a chapter is forming).
Your local chapter will guide you through their membership process and help you get involved.
Whether you’re a farmer, roaster, barista, exporter, or simply passionate about supporting women in coffee, there’s a place for you in IWCA.
Connect With a Chapter Near You
News & Updates
News & Updates
A Legacy of Empowerment: The Origins of IWCA
In 2003, the seeds of the "Women in Coffee" movement were sown by women from Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and the US. Driven by a shared passion for enhancing the coffee industry through empowerment and connection, these women embarked on a journey of transformation.
Their vision materialized when the six IWCA Co-Founders, Karen Cebreros, Colleen Crosby, Kimberly Easson, Karen Gordon, Melissa Pugash, and Margaret Swallow, gathered at the Specialty Coffee Association of America's (SCAA)headquarters in Long Beach, California.
Together, they breathed life into the International Women's Coffee Alliance (IWCA), shaping its mission to empower women across the global coffee community, fostering meaningful and sustainable lives for all. With unwavering dedication, they navigated the path to nonprofit status, paving the way for IWCA's remarkable journey.
Through the tireless support of our founding partners, as well as the invaluable contributions of volunteers and donors, IWCA has blossomed into a beacon of hope. Today, spanning 35 chapters worldwide (and growing!), we are a vibrant network connecting thousands of individuals, communities, and partners in coffee-growing and consuming nations across the globe.
Together, we continue to write the story of empowerment, one cup at a time.
-
The International Women's Coffee Alliance (IWCA) unites a global network of chapters and supports the work and growth of women in the international coffee community.
-
Be the leader of empowerment and equity for all women in coffee.
-
Women face multiple challenges in the coffee value chain, including underrepresentation in leadership roles, leading to limited opportunities for growth. IWCA is uniquely poised to provide a leadership role to address some of these challenges through education and advocacy to ensure an equitable coffee industry. IWCA supports an international network of independent, self-organized, self-governing organizations, called chapters. Each chapter develops and implements their own strategic priorities and membership models, following the IWCA Chapter Formation Protocol.
As a global organization, we achieve empowerment through leadership development, strategic partnership, and amplified market visibility.
IWCA facilitates organizational partnerships with other multi-stakeholder organizations, including African Fine Coffees Association (AFCA), International Coffee Organization (ICO), National Coffee Association (NCA), Specialty Coffee Association (SCA), World Coffee Alliance (WCA), International Labour Organization (ILO), International Trade Centre (ITC).
“Study after study has confirmed that there is no development strategy more beneficial to society as a whole— women and men alike— than one which involves women as central players. No other policy is as likely to raise economic productivity, lower infant and maternal mortality or improve nutrition and promote health. When women are fully involved, the benefits can be seen immediately: families are healthier; they are better fed; their income, savings and reinvestment go up. And what is true of families is true of communities and, eventually, whole countries.”
