By Isabelle Dores
March is a time to celebrate the resilience, strength, and contributions of women throughout history. At Java Love Coffee Roasting Co., Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day hold deep significance for us as a proudly LGBTQ+ and women-owned business. We stand on the shoulders of the trailblazers who fought for gender equality, and we honor their legacies by creating an inclusive space for all coffee lovers. The struggle for equality, however, is far from over. Women’s rights continue to evolve, and we owe our freedoms to the brave individuals who paved the way for us. This month, we reflect on those who dedicated their lives to advancing women’s rights, from the suffragists of the early 20th century to today’s activists fighting for pay equity, reproductive rights, and gender inclusivity. We stand in gratitude for their contributions, knowing that the rights we enjoy today were hard-won.
Throughout March, we’ve been highlighting extraordinary women in the coffee industry and beyond who have made significant contributions to their fields. Erna Knutsen didn’t just redefine coffee—she redefined who got to have a voice in the industry. As a woman breaking barriers in a male-dominated field, she championed small farmers, ethical sourcing, and the art of specialty coffee, proving that quality and integrity go hand in hand. When Erna passed in 2018 at age 96, the Specialty Coffee Association of America (SCAA) recognized her dedication: ‘...ceaselessly advocated for the values of quality, identity, and distinction in coffee.’ Erna was instrumental in starting the SCAA, now the Specialty Coffee Association (@specialtycoffeeassociation on Instagram).
Cristina Garces is shaping the future of coffee by advocating for sustainability and ethical sourcing. As a leader in farmers' rights and environmental responsibility, she ensures that every step of the coffee journey—from bean to cup—is rooted in fairness, quality, and care. Cristina has been recognized as a leader in sustainability, founding Latinxs in Sustainability (@latinxsinsustainability) to address the underrepresentation of Latinx professionals in the field. Her work has earned her accolades such as the U.S. Clean Energy Education & Empowerment (C3E) Award and a spot on City and State’s “40 Under 40” list. Cristina is paving the way for a more inclusive, equitable, and sustainable future for our world and our coffee.
Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera were trailblazing women whose activism reshaped the fight for trans and queer rights. Their courageous involvement in the Stonewall Riots of 1969 sparked a movement that would redefine LGBTQ+ visibility and rights. Together, they co-founded the Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries (STAR), an organization dedicated to providing support and advocacy for homeless trans youth and sex workers—paving the way for trans activism long before it became part of the mainstream conversation. These women, unapologetically true to themselves, fought tirelessly for equality, justice, and the most marginalized in their community. This Women’s History Month, we honor Marsha and Sylvia for their pioneering contributions to both the trans and feminist movements, knowing their legacy has forever changed the course of history for women, trans people, and the LGBTQ+ community.
We invite you to visit our cafes, support women-owned businesses, and continue the conversation about gender equality. Let’s raise our cups to the women who made history and the women shaping the future. At Java Love, every cup of coffee tells a story—one of passion, resilience, and progress. Does your coffee love you back? Ours does. Happy Women’s History Month from all of us at Java Love Coffee Roasting Co.!
#JavaLove #WomensHistoryMonth #DoYouJavaLove #WomenInCoffee
