The Ada Coleman Project & Legacy
The inspiration
Women play many key roles and ‘make up 70% of the hospitality industry’s workforce globally, (however) they hold less than 40% of managerial positions, (and) less than 20% of general management roles,’* and are under-represented, sometimes severely, at many regional and global bar shows, cocktail weeks and other industry-wide celebrations. Although gains have been made toward equality and inclusion, much work still needs to be done. Over the past two years, The Ada Coleman Project team has engaged with bar show organisations along with owners of some of the world’s top-ranked cocktail bars, and brand owners concluding that in some cases there is a lack of awareness of and/or access to prominent women in the drinks industry. We are firm believers in the philosophy of not calling attention to inequities without also offering feasible avenues toward better practices, thus our database and digital space idea was born to help close these gaps.
The Solution
The Ada Coleman Project is a groundbreaking initiative has created a dedicated digital space for women+ in the hospitality and drinks industry. The website provides links to a wide range of materials, including educational content, health & well-being support organisations, articles, and industry news. It is a hub for staying updated on the latest trends, techniques, and opportunities within the field. In addition, the educational workshops and networking opportunities planned by the team focus on building the confidence and skills of women+ looking to take the next step in their careers. One of the standout features of the Ada Coleman Project is its dynamic rotating global database of accomplished women and non-binary people in the drinks industry. This database has been designed to serve as a crucial tool for event organisers, competition hosts, bar show organisers, and establishments looking to diversify their panel of guest speakers, masterclass hosts, competition judges, and guest bartenders.
ADA COLEMAN
Without knowing it at the time, Ada Coleman being the first woman named Head Bartender of the Savoy Hotel in London was to become a beacon of light and inspiration for women in the industry, even 100 years later and to this very day. Ada ‘Coley’ Coleman was one of the most famous bartenders, probably even in the world in the height of the 1920s. She was a pioneering figure and groundbreaker, in a time when very few women were offered high-profile roles in the bar industry. Coley, as many are aware, was also the creator of the classic cocktail the Hanky Panky, still loved by both bartenders and barflies to this day.
OUR LOGO
Our Hanky Panky-inspired logo directly reflects our initiative and is the first of its kind in that it will react and evolve with positive change. The inaugural near-empty glass will at first raise questions in people’s minds, which will inevitably spark conversation. The logo will be ever-evolving, as it’s an interactive representation of women and inclusivity in the industry. The more women are included, the more the glass will fill.
Our hope is that one day our glass will over-flow.
Pillars of The Ada Coleman Project
Our mission is to not only bring awareness to the current inequities in the representation of women+ in educational and recreational bartending roles but to also offer meaningful solutions. Our vision is to spotlight the women who innovate and inspire us as an industry, in an effort to raise awareness and encourage meaningful conversation regarding the need for a more balanced and diverse selection of leaders educating, speaking and advocating for the next generation, and beyond.
To cultivate a more inclusive and representative approach to drinks education
To empower our fellow women+ in hospitality
To inspire future generations
Support The Project
The Ada Coleman Project seeks investment to transform the hospitality and drinks industry by fostering gender equality. This dedicated digital space honours the legacy of Ada Coleman, an icon of the industry and offers resources, news, and a unique database of accomplished women+. Investors and sponsors will empower this initiative to connect industry professionals, promote diversity, and provide opportunities for women+ to excel as panelists, masterclass hosts, judges, and guest bartenders. Contact the team to request the full sponsorship deck.