Kaffeeklatsch originated in Germany, a mix of two words "kaffee" (coffee) and "klatsch" (to chat or gossip). It is a known as an informal gathering for conversation and coffee (and cake!). My German-English grandmother used to use the word and I didn't pay much attention to it until recently. I was looking for a word to describe the action group I wanted to start and a kaffeeklatsch seemed to fit! When I looked it up I discovered something that made it even more important to me. The first coffee house opened in Germany in Leipzig in 1694 - and coffee houses became an important means and meeting place for intellectual and political discussions between the educated, middle class and bureaucratic nobility of the time - all men. Of course, women were not allowed in these coffee houses or discussions until the 20th century! German women began organizing private "kaffeekranzchen" or coffee parties in their own homes. The kaffeeklatsch spread across Germany and beyond - my grandmother’s family bringing here to the US - and to me. And now I've latched on to this long standing history of kaffeeklatsch, an informal gathering, and am using it as a means to discuss politics, culture and take actions for women’s rights and human rights.
Every Sunday from the Kaffeeklatsch for Action meets in Portland, Oregon. The meeting is informal and meant to be a time carved out of our busy lives to make calls, write letters, read articles, plan for protests and other calls to action to rise up for women’s rights and human rights.
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Every Sunday from the Kaffeeklatsch for Action meets in Portland, Oregon. The meeting is informal and meant to be a time carved out of our busy lives to make calls, write letters, read articles, plan for protests and other calls to action to rise up for women’s rights and human rights.
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