Today we’d like to introduce you to Katherine Bissell Cordova.
Katherine, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Aside from waiting tables, I have always worked in the non profit sector for social justice causes. It’s been a circuitous route that brought me to Chicago Fair Trade. For twenty years, I worked in human rights, immigrant rights and worker rights circles both here in Chicago and in Central America. I started out as a case manager at the Marjorie Kovler Center for the Treatment of Survivors here in Chicago. While working there, I learned about Peace Brigades international from a Guatemalan survivor of torture-he credited the organization with saving his life. I moved to Guatemala to work with PBI as a human rights defender. I worked with Mexican immigrants at the National Immigration Justice Center, then on to the Green Wood Alliance, a social enterprise in Honduras that taught furniture making and forest management skills to the children of illegal loggers. I was executive director at ARISE Chicago, partnering with immigrant workers to end abuse in the workplace.
No matter the situation or conditions where I worked, what I heard over and over again were people’s desire for decent work. When the opportunity arose to work in fair trade, I jumped on it. My first job in fair trade was opening the Greenheart Shop in 2007. I loved having the opportunity to help consumers here see the power they have and how they can directly support artisans and farmers in the global south day in and day out. I also loved being involved with Chicago Fair Trade. Greenheart joined as a business member and I loved coming together with other fair trade supporters to build a fair trade movement. I joined the board of directors and eventually served as board co-chair. When Chicago Fair Trade’s founding director, Nancy Jones, stepped down in 2014, I applied for the position and was hired. I feel so fortunate to be able to work in something so important and that I feel passionate about. It’s also an exciting time to be working in fair trade. It really feels as if we are close to reaching a tipping point. More and more people are seeking out fair trade. Chicago is also at the epicenter of the fair trade movement here in the US.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Ha! It’s been a long and winding road. Of course, there are struggles – there are in any job. I try to always keep in mind the mission and stay true to that. Choose your battles wisely. And I try to avoid man-made drama — there is enough real drama in the world. It’s also important to have fun with your work. In the words of legendary activist Emma Goldman, “if I can’t dance, I don’t want to be part of your revolution.”
What should we know about Chicago Fair Trade? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Chicago Fair Trade is known as being a leader in the fair trade movement in the US. We have accomplished a lot – we are the largest fair trade city in the US and have passed anti-sweat shop ordinances at the city and county (Cook) level. We host the biggest World Fair Trade Day celebration in the US every May and have the largest fair trade holiday pop up shop. We have a tight night community of fair trade business owners that collaborate and support each other strongly.
What do you feel are the biggest barriers today to female leadership, in your industry or generally?
For women with children, it is very hard to excel in a traditional workplace that doesn’t offer flexibility. I think, as the landscape changes and more and more workplaces allow people more flexibility, women and the workplaces are benefiting.
Pricing:
- Coffee 12 oz $13.95
Contact Info:
- Address: 637 S. Dearborn, 3rd Floor
Chicago, IL 60605 - Website: www.chicagofairtrade.org
- Email: katherine@chicagofairtrade.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chifairtrade/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChicagoFairTrade
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/chicagofair
- Other: https://chicago-fair-trade.myshopify.com/
Image Credit:
CFT
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