This year, in concert with the United Nations’ recognition of 2026 as the Year of the Woman Farmer, we and others are joining Equal Origins in a Raise Your Cup campaign to highlight the work of women coffee producers, raise funds in support of their efforts, and celebrate their outsized (yet under-valued) contributions to the coffee value chain. Or, more succinctly, in the words of the campaign: Recognize, uplift, invest!
For more than a decade, Equal Origins, a 501c3 non-profit, has worked to prove that gender equity is not only the right thing to do—but also the smartest approach to ensuring thriving agricultural systems.
We welcome everyone, in every facet of the industry, to join in this effort, where contributions can range from telling a friend, to raising a cup on social media, to donating or “rounding-up” at shops and cafes. You can click here to learn about big and small ways to get involved, and to download materials from cafe table tents to free sticker sheets.
Lastly, from Oct. 1 (International Coffee Day) through Oct. 15 (International Day of Rural Women), the Equal Origins Instagram account will share a story a day about a woman producer, told in her own words. Please follow along, share and raise a cup with us! •
