Not for the day, but for this month and every month, &BACK is committed to supporting and amplifying the voices of women coffee farmers. In the rich tapestry of their lived experiences, these women are not just growing beans; they are cultivating their narrative of independence, resilience, and dreams. Their voices offer insights into their journey as women confidently step into the heart of the coffee industry.

Esther Koskei, Chairlady at the Kabngetuny Farmers Co-op in Kenya, vividly recalls the pivotal moment when women at the co-op were given their own coffee bushes to manage. Traditionally, land has been held by men as well as the revenues derived from it. This moment marked more than the ability to cultivate beans; it was the budding of their financial independence. “They were ready to share their coffee bushes with their ladies,” Esther reflects, embodying the joy felt by these women for being welcomed into the industry by their husbands.

&BACK is dedicated to empowering women coffee farmers and young entrepreneurs through agricultural and financial literacy training programs to help their coffee businesses succeed. Esther Kailel, a member of Kapkiyai Women in Coffee in Kenya, sees these programs as a key to financial freedom. “I believe I will apply the lessons learned to enable me to save my money and also support women in my community as we engage in coffee farming.” Grace Maritim, Vice Chairlady of Kabngetuny Women in Coffee, anticipates a ripple effect: “I am looking forward to training other women in our coffee group, and I am sure together we shall go far.”

Liz Alva Ajon Shiguango, a mother of four leading an organisation dedicated to coffee production in Ecuador, shares her thoughts on the permaculture agricultural training she received: “For me, it is important that all producers unite for a fair and responsible cause, and that is to protect the [Amazon] forests.” Janeth Johanna Salazar Grefa, a coffee producer’s daughter, echoes, “I am the new generation of coffee growers, and I hope that these types of events continue to take place in the future.”

Lesbia Montenegro, a coffee farmer from northern Nicaragua, finds joy in witnessing the success of women in the industry. “Happiness is to see [women coffee farmers] that are successful, that manage to stand up by themselves, and that have improved their quality of living,” Lesbia expresses. For her, storytelling becomes an engine to uplift others, “hearing their stories is my engine to keep going, to improve each day and to keep teaching other women that they can.”

In the world of these women coffee farmers, every sip tells a story of resilience, strength, and the pursuit of dreams. Let’s raise our cups to these remarkable women, challenging norms, and redefining possibilities.