PORTLAND, OR (April 12, 2019) – Freeland Spirits is pleased to announce the first recipient of its new Free Spirit community impact program: Dr. Shweta Moorthy. Shweta’s determination to improve outcomes for communities of color in Oregon is just part of the compelling story that makes her the first recipient of the Freeland Free Spirits program.
Freeland Spirits — Portland’s first and only woman-owned, women-led craft spirits company — launched the Free Spirits program on March 1 to celebrate women (and those who identify as women) who embody the energetic, brave, ambitious, no-holds-barred approach that led Freeland Spirits founder Jill Kuehler to start her company in 2017.
“Free Spirits think and act in uninhibited, unconventional ways, and don’t feel bound by social norms,” said Kuehler. “After our selection committee reviewed the more than 30 nominees sent in by people all over Oregon, they saw a bright, shining free spirit in Shweta.”
Dr. Moorthy hails from New Delhi, India and has been working for the Coalition for Communities of Color since 2016 to dismantle institutional racism, eliminate socioeconomic disparities, and redress inequity of services experienced by communities of color in Oregon. As an immigrant woman of color, she uses a transnational lens to understand and participate in local social justice spaces and brings her expertise in research justice to those conversations.
“I was so surprised when I heard from Jill informing me about this award,” said Shweta. “I’m honored and touched to have my work recognized in such a unique way. I’m continuously inspired, motivated, comforted and supported by the social justice community in Portland. I have sought to humbly listen and contribute my expertise and experience where the movement most needs me.”
As a Freeland Free Spirit, Shweta will be profiled on the Freeland Spirits website and Freeland Spirits mixologist Kacee Solis worked with Shweta to create “Shweta’s Old Fashioned” that will be available in the Freeland Spirits tasting room from April 17 – May 14. Proceeds from the sale of every “Shweta’s Old Fashioned” will be donated to Shweta’s chosen organization, the Coalition for Communities of Color.
Shweta’s Old Fashioned
1.75 oz Gin
1 bar spoon simple syrup
1 bar spoon St. Germain liqueur
4-5 dashes cardamom bitters
2-3 dashes grapefruit bitters
Stir in a mixing glass and pour over a large ice cube garnish with a grapefruit peel.
The Free Spirit Selection Committee includes artist and author Flora Bowley; openly transgender entrepreneur and competitive athlete Molly Cameron; former Nike VP and current e-commerce and retail strategic consultant Pamela Neferkara; and Nadya Okamoto, Harvard University student and founder of Period.org, the largest youth-run NGO in women’s health.
Nominations for April’s Free Spirit Award are open now until April 18. To nominate someone, please visit www.freelandspirits.com.
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About Freeland Spirits
Freeland Spirits was founded by Jill Kuehler in 2017 and takes its name from Kuehler’s grandmother, a personal role model whom she calls Meemaw, who (somewhat ironically) was a lifelong nondrinker but taught her women can be whatever they want to be. Freeland Spirits has a “grain-to-glass” philosophy and creates superior spirits that celebrate all the Northwest has to offer. Master Distiller Molly Troupe has a background in biochemistry and a Master’s Degree in Distillation from Heriot-Watt University in Scotland. The Freeland Spirits portfolio includes American gin and bourbon, with a rye whiskey slated for release in 2019. For more information, visit www.freelandspirits.com.
