Empowering Women in Coffee: The IWCA “Threads of Empowerment” Quilt Auction
In 2024, members of the U.S. Women in Coffee (USWIC) Chapter envisioned a heartfelt project to support IWCA Global's mission of empowering women across the coffee value chain. This vision inspired the creation of the "Threads of Empowerment" Quilt, a symbol of connection, passion, and resilience within the global coffee community.
At the Specialty Coffee Expo in 2024, IWCA Chapter members from around the world arrived with portions of fabric in their suitcases—pieces filled with personal stories and meaning to be turned into a quilt. These fabrics represent the values of the organization and the hands that contribute to coffee, from bean to brew. They symbolize the shared connection among women in coffee: their passion, determination, and collaborative spirit that sustains the coffee industry.
We have commissioned renowned quilter Aisha Lumumba to bring this quilt to life. Ms. Lumumba is a highly skilled artist known for her breathtaking "Heritage" and "Art Quilts," which reflect the proud history and resilience of African and African American communities. Her work offers a profound glimpse into the human experience, and her quilts have graced exhibitions across the U.S., including galleries, national festivals, and even the personal collections of esteemed individuals such as President Barack Obama and Ambassador Andrew Young.
Ms. Lumumba's artistry, combined with the contributions of IWCA Chapters worldwide, ensures this quilt is more than just an object—it’s a story woven with threads of hope, empowerment, and progress.
A New Tradition of Giving
At the 2024 Specialty Coffee Expo, IWCA Chapter members from around the world arrived with fabric in their suitcases. Each piece carried personal stories and meaning. Together, they represent the hands that contribute to coffee, from bean to brew, and the passion, determination, and collaboration that sustains the industry.
Renown quilter Aisha Lumumba brought this quilt to life. Ms. Lumumba creates breathtaking "Heritage" and "Art Quilts" that reflect the proud history and resilience of African and African American communities. Her work has graced exhibitions across the U.S., including galleries, national festivals, and the personal collections of President Barack Obama and Ambassador Andrew Young.
When Ms. Lumumba's artistry met contributions from IWCA Chapters worldwide, something remarkable happened. This quilt became a story of hope, empowerment, and progress, woven by women in coffee.
A Growing Tradition
This is the second annual "Threads of Empowerment" Quilt Auction. Each year, you bid for the privilege of displaying this quilt throughout the following year. Your display becomes a visible commitment to empowering women in coffee. It starts conversations about equity and sustainability in every space it occupies.
At the end of your display year, the quilt returns to IWCA and is re-auctioned. This model lets new supporters step forward annually, amplifying the message of empowerment year after year.
How It Works
Bid and Win: During the auction, place your bid to acquire the quilt for the 2026 display year. The highest bidder gains the privilege of showcasing this symbol of empowerment.
Display the Quilt: Throughout the year, display the quilt at your office, café, or organization. It's a conversation starter and a visible commitment to empowering women in coffee.
Return and Renew: At the end of the display year, return the quilt to IWCA to be re-auctioned, ensuring the tradition continues and the quilt's impact grows.
Your bid directly supports leadership development, technical training, market access, and advocacy initiatives for women across the coffee value chain.
When you bid on this quilt, you're doing more than acquiring a beautiful piece of art. You're making a public declaration that women in coffee deserve investment, opportunity, and recognition. You're joining a community that believes empowerment isn't charity. It's infrastructure.
Bid for the quilt. Display your support. Become part of the story that empowers women, transforms communities, and connects the world through coffee.
The winner will be presented with the quilt at the World of Coffee Breakfast in San Diego.
Where the Quilt Has Been
"Threads of Empowerment" spent its first year at the University of Maryland's Leadership & Community Service-Learning office at the Adele H. Stamp Student Union (STAMP). UMD alum and longtime IWCA supporter Margaret Swallow ('75) made the installation possible.
Every piece of fabric in this quilt was contributed by IWCA Chapter members around the world. From Guatemala to Rwanda to Vietnam, each swatch represents the hands, stories, and progress of women throughout the global coffee supply chain.
The installation also celebrates a partnership between UMD's Alternative Breaks Program and Finca Los Andes in Guatemala, an initiative Margaret helped launch in 2010. Each year, UMD students and staff travel to Los Andes for hands-on learning about sustainable development, women-led coffee operations, and ethical sourcing.
For one year, Threads of Empowerment hung in STAMP as a daily reminder of what's possible when communities come together across borders, cultures, and industries to uplift women and invest in shared success.
Now it's ready for its next home. Will it be yours?
