From Climate Researcher to Advocate: Dr. Anne-Teresa Birthwright’s Journey Empowering Women in Jamaica’s Coffee Industry
For Dr. Anne-Teresa Birthwright, coffee wasn’t originally about the drink—it was about the people.
Growing up in Jamaica, Anne-Teresa pursued her doctorate focused on the intersection of climate change, resilience, and rural livelihoods. Through her academic research, she began spending time in Jamaica’s famed Blue Mountain and non-Blue Mountain coffee regions, interviewing smallholder coffee farmers. What she discovered would ultimately reshape her career.
She encountered women working tirelessly as farmers and heads of households, navigating not only the natural risks of farming but systemic inequities that left them underrepresented and under-resourced. “Many of these women had limited recognition for their work and limited access to the value chain beyond simple production,” she explains. “They were essentially stuck at the bottom of a system that offered little room for advancement.”
The challenges were layered:
Climate change threatening yields
Volatile pricing
Lack of technical and financial resources
Systemic gender barriers preventing full participation in coffee’s value chain
A Path Forward Through IWCA Jamaica
Anne-Teresa’s research led her to meet the founders of IWCA Jamaica (Jaw), who were already working to support women in the sector. Inspired by their mission, she joined the organization, where she now serves as a key leader and advocate for capacity building, training, and community-driven development.
Together with IWCA Jamaica, Anne-Teresa has helped launch programs that equip women with the tools they need to not only survive, but thrive:
Financial literacy and record-keeping training
Business and farm management skills
Pest and disease control workshops
Soil health and climate resilience education
These programs are designed with one core principle: listen to what women need. "We didn’t want to dictate solutions," she says. "We wanted their voices to shape the support we provide."
For many women, these trainings have been transformative. One participant shared, “At one point, I was ready to give up. But through this training, I’ve gained confidence, learned to manage my farm as a business, and finally feel empowered.”
A Vision for Jamaica’s Coffee Future
IWCA Jamaica’s work is far from over. Anne-Teresa and her colleagues continue to advocate for:
A formal coffee knowledge infrastructure in Jamaica to provide technical training, cupping labs, and ongoing education
Expanded research partnerships focused on gender equity and climate resilience
Building out IWCA Jamaica’s membership and organizational structure to serve more women along the value chain
Strategic partnerships to bring global expertise and funding into Jamaica’s coffee sector
As she puts it, “Behind every cup of coffee is a person—a woman, a family, a story. If we can help amplify those voices, we’re not only improving coffee — we’re transforming lives.”
Collaboration & Global Support
Anne-Teresa acknowledges that systemic change requires collaboration. IWCA Global, international NGOs, and local partners are working to strengthen Jamaica’s emerging initiatives. And while funding remains a challenge, momentum continues to grow.
Her vision is simple yet bold: “Coffee can’t just be about export—it has to be about empowerment.”