Chanell Williams, craft beer blogger and influencer based in Seattle: “I have held numerous positions in craft beer distribution nationwide. When it comes to sexism in the industry, the overarching mindset is to suck it up and deal with it. And as a woman of color, I feel like I am always having to hold on, even through the pain, even through abuse, offhand comments, and microaggressions. I once attended a beer festival to network and break into the industry. Going into those spaces as a single woman, I was already wary of the types of behaviors I might encounter. I was working relentlessly to make a name for myself back then, and a group of men requested a picture with me. Being in the influencer role, this request was not out of the ordinary. I stood between them to take the photo and one of the men reached out and grabbed my breast. I slapped the man’s hand away and said, ‘Excuse me. Don’t ever touch me again.’ They all just laughed at me.
Later, I was hired for a job through a manager I met at the festival. Two months into the job, a colleague realized it was his father who grabbed my breast. He sent me a message, trying to apologize for the violating behavior on behalf of his father. The message said, ‘If I were to call my dad anything, it would be silly. I know he didn't mean anything by it. Not that it's an excuse. Again, I just feel like I had to suck it up.”
How the Craft Beer Industry Needs to Change
Megan Stone: “First and foremost, women need to be believed and supported. They need to be taken seriously when they raise these red flags about their experiences. I feel like a lot of the time we get written off as being dramatic or exaggerating. And when women share their experiences, it's not just the responsibility of the brewery, but the responsibility of local guilds and the Brewers Association to do something greater than share another sexual harassment course. There's been a massive lack of support for victims and that needs to change. I think that the people who have had serious accusations, especially multiple accusations, need to be investigated—no question. There's also a responsibility for consumers to do some research and see what you are supporting and where your money is going.”
Erin Wallace: “The Brewers Association has a code of conduct. They have a place where you can file a complaint. Before these Instagram stories, I don’t think many people lower in the brewery job chain knew that was an option. I had never known that. (Editor’s Note: This code of conduct was enacted on August 6, 2020, so the association only considers complaints after that, according to the website.) But also, if a brewery is not a member of the Brewers Association, what options are there? It's the same with local guilds. The Brewers have to join the guild and they have to join the Brewers Association to be able to be held accountable for the code of conduct. If they don't join, then you have to go to a state organization, like the police department, and every state has different rules and regulations. Maybe it would be best if there were a third-party organization for the industry that is more open and easy to find and also not owned by a certain guild or association.
As of this week, I sat on the board of Philly Loves Beer. I was the first woman voted onto the board. I found it really hard to consider myself an advocate for women when accusations were made against people that I sit with on the board. (Editor’s Note: Another board member has stepped down after allegations of a hostile work environment, according to reports by the Philadelphia Inquirer.) I decided I could not justify being a part of a group that is accused of treating other people the same way I have been treated in my career. I hope that me...stepping down shows that I can’t stay silent, and that Philly Loves Beer should make a good action plan moving forward.”
Chanell Williams: “Even with my trauma in this industry, I haven't given up on it. I am almost always the only person of color in my brewery space, but I still want to create change within the industry and I am more than qualified to do it. Some of these stories are so disheartening, from allegations of sexual assault to being fired for being pregnant, and no one is held accountable. (Editor’s Note: The pregnancy discrimination court case is currently pending.) There needs to be a complete restructuring of breweries, with more extensive training of what discrimination and harassment mean. These companies need to revamp their HR, and get women and people of color in leadership and management. I want to see myself reflected in my management. I want to feel comfortable talking to someone on my team about any situations that may occur, from getting harassed by an employer to getting stalked by a patron of the brewery. People need to be held accountable.”
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What It's Like to Be a Woman in the Craft Beer Industry - Bon Appetit
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