On International Women's Day today, we are delighted to celebrate all the fantastic women in the brewing and distilling industry and shine a light on their incredible work. Though there is a wide history of women's involvement in brewing and distilling dating back to perhaps 4000 years ago in Mesopotamia, the industry has worked hard to embrace and drive widespread changes that has made our community one of the most forward thinking.
The Institute of Brewing and Distilling through the years has championed women, with our first woman President being Professor Anna MacLeod, who was President between 1970 – 1972. Currently, IBD is proud to be led by our current President, Megan Sheehy, who is our fourth woman president, and is supported by the many men and women in the past and present who have encouraged building a more inclusive and diverse community.
With a long and stellar career in brewing, Georgina Young is a name known in the industry. Currently, the Brewing Director at St Austell, Georgina was also the first woman head brewer at Fuller's. Georgina has been a long-time supporter of the IBD and has IBD Master Brewer since 2016. We asked Georgina about her experience of being in the industry and her advice for young women today.
Katie Jessup, the Senior Product Development Specialist at Asahi Beverages Australia, and tutor on Set for Success, speaks on why she loves the industry.
Jayne has taken on many roles in the industry from lab to technical to the brewing and packaging process. She has also continued to support the IBD for eight years as the Secretary of the Great Northern section. Today, she tells us about this journey and how the IBD continues to be a part of it.
Apiwe is a trailblazer if there ever was one! South Africa's first black woman brewmaster, leading the first black female majority owned brewing company in South Africa, the youngest and first black female chairperson of the IBD's Africa Section and the founding chairperson of the Beer Association of South Africa. Read about her fascinating journey, challenges and her advice for the future generation.
Pooja is an advocate for visibility and inclusion and tells us about the support from the community was instrumental in developing her career.
Karen Elizabeth Vaca Ruiz is an advocate for women's collectives and is a part of Las Hermanas, the first all-women brewing collaboration taking place on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border. Read more about Karen's interests and her work in brewing.
IBD has had four women Presidents so far, including our current and immediate Past Presidents. Read more about our very first female President, the legenday Anna MacLeod.