May Member Spotlight: Madison Weisberg

What do you do for work and what is your slash (aka what do you do in your free time)?

I'm just starting a new position within the State of Montana's Department of Public Health and Human Services. I am a program specialist with the Title X Program, which improves access to affordable birth control and reproductive healthcare, specifically for low-income folks. It's an issue I care about deeply, and the position aligns well my how my brain works best. I'm excited to get started.

In my free time I cook, and I love to go hiking and backpacking. I am newly a dog parent to our rescue, Phoenix, who now consumes much of my free time.

How did you land in Helena?

I drove through Montana once and added it to my list of places I'd like to live. A few years ago my partner, Val, and I were both ready to transition to something new and agreed that Montana was an option. We both love living in the mountains and wanted a more-urban area in hopes that it would be friendly to queers and have more to do. We've been here for over two years now and really enjoy it.

What is the best piece of advice that you ever received – career-related or otherwise?

To start by thinking about what would be ideal and then tweak from there. This advice reminds me to believe in myself and ask for what I want. It sometimes makes me nervous that I will be labeled an "entitled millennial," even though the people who taught me this are older, non-millennial women. I've learned it is important to read my audience and be transparent and ready to compromise.

When do you feel the most yourself?

When I'm in the mountains surrounded by trees and quiet.

Where is the last place you explored and where do you want to explore next?

In the winter I love spending time at forest service cabins with friends. A favorite is the Granite Butte Lookout Tower. I have a list of backpacking trips to take this summer and am probably most excited about exploring in the Bob.

Tell us something about yourself that we didn’t ask:

My first job was at an ice cream/chocolates/fudge shoppe. I'm very particular about my ice cream; it has to be very dense with bold flavors and enough variation in texture. I often hold up the line at the ice cream shoppe with questions and taste testing.