Better Latte Than Never: Celebrating Women’s History Month with Alpenglow Coffee
As we turn up for women's history month, here at Alpenglow, we recognize the unequal, yet highly gendered nature of the coffee industry. With women making up to 70% of labor within coffee production it's easy to wonder why the women behind the beans almost never get the recognition they deserve. The gap between the women doing the work and the men getting recognized for the work is reflective of the inequitable power dynamic that trickles through the agricultural sector.
As a BIPOC, women owned and ethically sourced coffee brand, Alpenglow’s mission to transform the way people enjoy coffee goes beyond our own coffee brew bags. We hope to honor the women in the coffee industry who are pushing the envelope of empowerment and innovation.
We figure it’s better latte than never to highlight some badass Colorado local women in the coffee industry.
Convivio Cafe
Starting in Denver on the corner of 38th and Sheridan lies a shared collective space of Latine artisans. Vivi Lemus and Kristen Lacey, the owners of Convivio Cafe met in 2015 and bonded through their love of Guatemalan culture. Together two dreamed of creating a place where community and culture could thrive. With backgrounds in sustainable practices and food security, Kristen and Vivi made the most of pandemic layoffs, and in 2020 founded Convivio Cafe. Convivio Cafe prioritizes relationships with Latina owned and operated coffee and tea producers in Central America to bring a culturally rich and empowering experience to cafe guests. The women and immigrant owned business has succeeded in its goal of “being a good neighbor” by creating space to celebrate the cross cultural communities within the Denver area.
Whittier Cafe in North Denver
Coffee worldwide can trace its roots back to Ethiopia and at Whittier Cafe every sip tells a story of heritage and community. In 2015 Millete Birhanemaskel opened Whittier Cafe in North Denver. The cafe's namesake is an ode to the neighborhood and community where it is located. Whittier Cafe has become the centerpiece of its community and works to preserve the history of coffee through a traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony. Every Sunday afternoon the community gathers to watch the roasting and brewing of coffee in a clay pot called ‘jebena’. This women owned and operated traditional East African coffee shop does more than just coffee but is also heavily involved in social justice causes around Denver reinforcing their commitment to sustainability and ethical consumerism.
Going beyond just delivering a wonderful coffee experience, Wagon Coffee is the definition of a mission-driven business. Committed to empowering and fostering opportunities for women recovering from addiction, the Colorado owned and operated business provides a supportive space for women to rebuild their lives. Owner Tami Canaday, who spent over a decade working in the corporate coffee industry, felt the effects of addiction close to home as her husband struggled himself. Together, the couple found strength in the community, and it turns out most people recovering from addiction drink coffee. It was here, at the intersection of coffee and recovery, where Tami saw a space for opportunity, and in 2020 Wagon Coffee started up operations. Wagon is about more than just good beans but brewing a community for recovering addicts and their loved ones.
From women laboring in coffee production to those leading innovative ventures in the scene, women deserve recognition and support for their tremendous contributions to the coffee industry. Alpenglow is inspired by and stands alongside remarkable women like Vivi Lemus and Kristen Lacey of Convivio Cafe, Millet Birhanemeskel of Whittier Cafe, and Tami Canaday of Wagon Coffee, who are reshaping traditional coffee narratives and fostering inclusivity and empowerment within the coffee community.
Together, lets raise our cups to a future where every woman is celebrated and empowered.
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