Happy International Women's Day!

We sat down with some of our staff at BentSpoke and asked them about IWD and what it means to them. 

Tracy Margrain - Head Brewer & Co-Founder

Question 1: What does IWD mean to you?

• It’s a great day to celebrate and acknowledge womens achievements and roles in society. It’s also a chance for women to come together to empower each other and strive for a greater future.

Question 2: Can you name an accomplishment you are proud of that you’ve achieved while working at BentSpoke?

• I’m proud of what I have accomplished becoming the brewpub brewer, but also hopefully being a strong role model for our female team.

Question 3: How do you empower your team?

• I like to think I lead by example, showing our team with hard work and initiative you can achieve whatever goals you set yourself.

Question 4: Who is a woman that inspires you?

• My Mum, she has a strength and determination that amazes me, she takes everything in her stride and never gives up no matter what challenges have been thrown her way. She has been a constant source of support and encouragement for me throughout my life.

Question 5: Are there any woman’s empowerment movements that inspire you?

• I think Pink Boots has been an amazing initiative for women in the brewing and distilling industry. It’s a great way for women to learn, grow and support each other in a community of like minded people.

Maddie – Duty Manager

Question 1: What does IWD mean to you?

• IWD makes me very proud to be a woman and be surrounded by such strong females. It is a reminder that now more than ever we should be building each other up and supporting every single one of us and our rich diversity.

Question 2: Can you name an accomplishment you are proud of that you’ve achieved while working at BentSpoke?

• Being lucky enough to grow within such a female orientated team, is an achievement in itself. BentSpoke support their female staff to thrive within their roles and hit goals. 

Question 3: How do you empower your team?

• I empower my team by creating a fun work space, I focus on everyone feeling confident in their roles and aim to allow the team to be their true self! 

Question 4: Who is a woman that inspires you?

• Women who continually show up and support others, whilst going through it all behind the scenes inspire me. The selflessness it takes to do this is next level and should be appreciated by all!  Someone in particular I can relate this too is my Grandma, she is an absolute weapon of a woman!

Question 5: Are there any woman’s empowerment movements that inspire you?

•  #FreeTheTampons is an incredible movement, which as you can tell by the name is fighting for female products to be free for all. Not only is it fighting for equality it is also educating people about women's health and getting rid of the stigma surrounding it. 

Gemma – People & Culture Coordinator

Question 1: What does IWD mean to you?

• IWD for me means being able to recognise the accomplishments and achievements of women everywhere. To reflect on the great things’ women have done around the globe and identify ways in which to continually enhance and advocate for women. It’s a great day to celebrate and show support for women. .

Question 2: Can you name an accomplishment you are proud of that you’ve achieved while working at BentSpoke?

• Continuing to be an advocate for equality. It’s incredibly inspiring to be a part of a company that provides so many opportunities to women in a variety of different aspects of the business. I am proud to play a role in that and am excited to continue building a great community.

Question 3: How do you empower your team?

• By creating an environment of openness, trust and positivity. Encouraging those around me to not be afraid to set goals and

Question 4: Who is a woman that inspires you?

• There are so many! But to pick one I would have to say Brene Brown. She is incredibly inspiring and the work she does is incredible. She has taught me a lot in regard to showing vulnerability, bravery and curiosity in the workplace and this has truly changed the way I approach different aspects of my life now. I try to utilise these practices to inspire others to, as Brene would say, “stay awkward, brave and kind”.

Question 5: Are there any woman’s empowerment movements that inspire you? 

• Again, there are so many. But one that has inspired me lately is the work of Grace Tame. Her recent movement with Brittney Higgins and pushing forward for gender equality is so important. It’s inspiring to see women like Grace not being afraid to stand up for what they believe in and demanding real action on gender equality and pushing to ensuring all women have access to a safe place to live/work/etc..

Rahni – Events & Community Coordinator
Question 1: What does IWD mean to you?

• Creating spaces and opportunities for everyone, irrespective of the status quo.

Question 2: Can you name an accomplishment you are proud of that you’ve achieved while working at BentSpoke?

• Organising the first official Pink Boots Brew Day for the ACT. In the lead up we more than doubled ACT Pink Boots membership, members came from all over the east coast, and I got to work with some great BentSpoke women to ensure the event was a great one.

Question 3: How do you empower your team?

• I hope just by being supportive, and by demonstrating that no one is too good for the dirty, less than glamourless jobs that keep events running.  

Question 4: Who is a woman that inspires you?

• Is it too cliché to say my Mum? And Dolly Parton. Both Iona and Dolly and authentically their own and do whatever they can to enhance and support their communities.   

Question 5: Are there any woman’s empowerment movements that inspire you?  

• Pink Boots. I love that they have a huge focus on education and growth, not only for their members, but also as an organisation. This has ensured that they continue to improve on their inclusivity by opening membership to non-binary people. Inclusivity is the only way forward.

Christine - Chief Financial Officer 

Question 1: What does IWD mean to you?

• It’s the day when women all around the world come together and celebrate the unity and reciprocity.

Question 4: Who is a woman that inspires you?

• The woman who never deters her efforts, who can breakthrough barriers and gives people courage.

Jody - Head Chef

Question 3: How do you empower your team?

• I have always had great work ethic and I try to lead by example and to always be humble.

 Question 4: Who is a woman that inspires you?

• My grandmother (Bubbles, 94 years old) is a woman that inspires me. She’s an amazing woman who has been through a lot and has always been there for me.

Nicole - Assistant Finance Manager

 Question 1: What does IWD mean to you?

• IWD reminds me all the great achievements and contributions of women made to the world’s history, and I’m always inspired to keep doing great and thinking big in hope that one day I can be part of something extraordinary. And I believe all women can do!