Strong Women = Strong Coffee

Strong Women = Strong Coffee

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.

VISION

Be the leader of empowerment and equity for all women in coffee.

HOW WE ACHIEVE IMPACT

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.

  • IWCA Chapters are self-driven organizations, focused on their unique, local needs, and united globally by the shared IWCA mission to empower women across the coffee industry. Status as an IWCA Chapter indicates the successful completion the IWCA Chapter Formation Protocol; a commitment to women’s empowerment through IWCA; and upholding the IWCA Code of Conduct.

    Please visit the IWCA Chapter List to contact specific IWCA Chapter leaders.

    Contact Ms. Blanca Castro, IWCA Executive Director if you are interested in IWCA Chapter Formation.

  • Step 1: Exploration Preparation. Prepare to explore the potential for an IWCA Chapter

    Step 3: Socialization. Engage diverse stakeholders to identif country-specific needs and opportunities.

    Step 3: Statement of Intent & Leadership. Solidify intent to move forward with IWCA Chapter Formation; identify Organizing Committee.

    Step 4: National Legalization. Establish Chapter in Form tion as legally-recognized nonprofit entity in country.

    Step 5: Election of Board. Democratically elect group leadership.

    Step 6: Strategic & Operation Plans. Identify goals and how Chapter will operate.

    Step 7: Application for Chapter Recognition. Submit all required materials for review by IWCA Chapter Relations.

    Step 8: Sign MoU. Formal acknowledgment that all steps have been successfully completed.

    Step 9: WELCOME! Engage as IWCA Chapter.

As a global organization, we achieve empowerment through leadership development, strategic partnership, and amplified market visibility. Find more in-depth stories about the impact of our programs and partnerships in these resources:

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 (World Coffee Alliance), International Labour Organization, International Trade Centre.

IWCA Values

  1. Respect - Every woman has a unique and valid voice; therefore, the IWCA respects every person and their ideas.

  2. Sustainability - The IWCA supports programs that foster harmony of environmental, social and economic impact.

  3. Equity - The IWCA supports programs that encourage the equitable allocation of resources in the world.

  4. Integrity - Serving women in coffee is the ultimate goal of the IWCA and to further this goal, all decisions are made with honesty and integrity.

  5. Collaboration - Communities hold the solutions to their own problems, therefore the best way to impact these communities is through collaboration and partnership.

  6. Empowerment - The IWCA supports actions that strengthen women to realize their full potential.

  7. Inclusion - The IWCA supports the inclusion of all - men, women, and youth - working together to achieve positive impact through empowered communities.

IWCA Code of Conduct

These values are the basis for the IWCA Code of Conduct, adopted by the IWCA Global Board of Directors in October 2018. The IWCA Code of Conduct outlines the expectations for the conduct of all IWCA Chapter members, volunteers, supporters, and partners. The IWCA is a nonpartisan organization.  We recognize that there are many interest groups involved in the global coffee industry and we expect the country chapters to also be nonpartisan, particularly on any issues with that have a political implication.  We welcome the efforts of all individuals and private and public organizations that share our mission of empowering women in the international coffee community to achieve meaningful and sustainable lives.

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 34 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.