The Bourbon Women Association Launches Amber Circle Diversity & Inclusion Initiative

The Bourbon Women Association recently announced the new Amber Circle Diversity & Inclusion Initiative during its annual SIPosium conference.

Started in 2019, the Amber Circle initiatives create programs that benefit a more diverse and inclusive membership within Bourbon Women and throughout the spirits industry with a mission to recognize the importance of representation from all facets of human experience, including BIPOC women, LGBTQIA+ women, and women of different abilities, educational levels, and backgrounds, according those behind it. This new scholarship program builds on the organization’s mentoring program and strives to empower women and those from underrepresented communities in the bourbon and spirits industry.

“Discovery happens when you push boundaries,” Board Chair Heather Wibbels said in a prepared statement. “Amplifying the voices and experiences of the underrepresented in the bourbon community encourages the bourbon industry to reach out and invite more diversity in their outreach to consumers and their own companies. We’re reaching out to members of our community and the whiskey spirits industry to support this initiative to advocate change from the ground up.”

The initiative is kicking off with a donation campaign to raise scholarship funds with individual donations of $250 and corporate donations of $1,000 or more encouraged by the association.

The dozen women of the initial Amber Circle Diversity & Inclusion cohort will receive training through the Stave & Thief program. Founded in 2014, Stave & Thief was the first bourbon certification program recognized by the bourbon industry and is designated by the Kentucky Distillers Association as its “Official Bourbon Education Course.” The women will also receive additional training on networking, professional presence, personal brand development and more.

“We are so fortunate to be able to work in an industry that is always embracing change, and opening the doors to others so they can join us is one of the core missions of the Bourbon Women Association,” Bourbon Women President Maggie Kimberl said. “I am thrilled to be able to use the power of this first-ever female whiskey consumer organization to support women in growing their careers.”