From Camp Kid to Craft Beer Trailblazer
Written by: Addy Maykish
I was a Girl Scout through 5th grade and still have my green sash hanging in my closet at my parents’ house. I loved being a Girl Scout.
I especially enjoyed going to camp every summer with my friends. One of my favorite memories is getting stuck on the pedal boat with my friend, just spinning in circles about 10 feet from the dock and laughing because we couldn’t figure out how everyone else was doing it and why we couldn't. At the time, I thought I was just having fun, but looking back on my time in Girl Scouts, I realized that it was so much more than that. I found confidence in myself to learn new skills and solve problems (like getting back to the dock), ask questions, and give back. I even learned the ASL alphabet as a Girl Scout, and I still remember and use it to this day.
The mission of Girl Scouts, building girls of courage, confidence, and character who make the world a better place, is something that resonates deeply with me. I am the Sensory Manager at Maine Beer Company. The brewing industry is a notoriously male dominated industry, and it can be intimidating. I have learned how important it is to have confidence in myself, my skillset, and my knowledge, because if I don’t believe in myself, no one else will either. A positive environment that fosters courage and confidence in young girls is so important. I hope that these girls never doubt themselves and what they can do if they put their minds to it.
It was such an honor to share what I do with the Girl Scout Alumni network. I love what I do, despite its challenges, and am always eager to share how to get into brewing and how much science goes into that glass of beer in your hand. The brewing industry is full of amazing people, and I would love to see more women break into the field. We are a small but mighty group from all walks of life with so many ideas, and we have the power to advance the brewing industry further.
