Women in Action
CiderScene: 2018 Award Winners
January 17, 2019
Chicago’s Cider Week 2019
January 26, 2019
From Jennie Dorsey, Chief Cider Curator at Schilling Cider & writer for CiderScene.
I want to start 2019 with my first ever article and the most important piece I may ever write.
My journey began more than 12 years ago when I fell in love with a beverage. Cider came into my life when I lived in England in my early 20’s, and I was hooked. Upon moving back to the states and immediately seeking out a career in the cider industry, I was hit by numerous roadblocks. Barriers set throughout history that were simply never thought to be changed. With the power of passion for the beverage, I was able to breakthrough and create a career for myself, but in the process, there was a part of myself that I kept hidden. I no longer wish to hide. As an ambassador for inclusion and diversity, and a founding member of Pomme Boots, I believe that being out and proud is extremely important. I will continue to forge my identity in both the LQBTQ community and the cider industry.
While this did begin as a personal journey it continues as an expedition for all who identify as female, in the cider industry and in the world at large. To say the challenges facing women in this industry are new and unique would be a disservice to the women of the world who have taken action before us.
Challenges as large as propaganda, ineffective and demeaning language and terminology, and as seeming small as the conversations had over a cider at the end of an event. To be fair, the majority of these challenges do start out innocently enough, but that does not make them something that should not be amended. Amending thoughts and actions so deeply ingrained in our society is not an easy task, but we are ready for the challenge. Women are joining together in groups throughout the country to participate in their future.
“The most effective way to do something is to do it.” – Amelia Earhart
That “something” in this case is an industry of inclusion and diversity. As an identified queer female, this quote is my mantra. A mantra that keeps me and numerous other ladies working and striving with determination to be an integral part of a beverage that we love.
You can now look in almost any direction in any facet of this industry across that globe and find women now not only participating in but leading changes and innovation. This includes, but is not limited to orcharding, cidermaking, marketing, education, sales and nonprofit arenas. Women are taking action and pushing boundaries to change their future and that of the cider world.
So, if the question is ever posed as to where women are in the industry please just remember that we are in action.
