half full Founder Rebecca Twitchell Named Leading Women of Distinction

Rebecca Twitchell, half full, llc, President/Founder, was recently named a Leading Women of Distinction honoree by the Girl Scouts of Southeastern New England. First launched in 2015, the annual award celebrates outstanding local women who lead by example and exemplify the Girl Scout mission of building girls of courage, confidence, and character who make the world a better place — the women who demonstrate qualities of leadership and excellence in their lives, according to GSSNE.

Rebecca Twitchell delivering her honoree speech, shared below.

Twitchell joined seven other honorees, all of whom were recognized at a commemorative event on Thursday, October 30, 2025. Below are the remarks Twitchell shared with the audience when receiving her Leading Women of Distinction award.

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What does it mean to be a leading woman of distinction? If I am honest, that has been a tough question for me to answer of late. I continue to be overwhelmed with the question: how am I being called to serve?

In a time when women and girls are grappling with what our futures look like, who is a leading woman of distinction to look to for HOPE? In a time when nonprofits and small businesses are struggling to keep their doors open, who is a leading woman of distinction to look to for GUIDANCE? In a time when our communities are struggling to make ends meet, who is a leading woman of distinction to look to for ACTION?

The truth is … it’s everyone in this room: 

• My esteemed friends and colleagues who are being recognized today

• The women who are here in celebration of one another, to lift each other up

• And everyone else in the room who is an ALLY to EVERY leading woman of distinction

The Girl Scout’s website says, as a Brownie, she’ll leave her comfort zone, meet new people, and experience personal growth. And oh boy, was that true for me! When I was a Brownie, I had not one care in the world. Instead, my focus was on being a disruptor. I was the “PK,” the preacher’s kid and the third child at that. So I tested (and broke) the rules often. I challenged the status quo. I was competitive and found success each time I outran Matt Katchanis at recess or beat him in grades at school … which was a lot, not gonna lie.

With Rhode Island Foundation CEO David Cicilline and GSSNE CEO Dana Borrelli-Murray

When I became a Girl Scout, those disruptor vibes didn’t change. I became fiercer in my confidence, in my will and in my desire to beat the boys (not beat them up — although that may have happened too!). My Troop was led by Barbara Monfils. I will forever have etched in my head the image of the cake my Mom made in celebration of Mrs. Monfils, decorated with saltine crackers as tents and green frosting grass for miles, representing the times we had overnight camp experiences as a Troop. It was a time of growth.

When I got older, and further away from my Girl Scout experience, I started to lose the confidence I had built while being a Scout. I started to experience what it was like outside of a safe community — being made fun of, talked about, and judged. I looked — and look — different (more on that here), and people definitely let me know it. It was a long journey to overcome feelings of insecurity, to learn to love myself for who I was, and to discover my why. Enter half full, llc, the business I started 20 years ago, with similar values to the Girl Scouts.

Related Reading: half full Celebrates 20 Years of Impact

Participants huddle in strength as women leaders …

And while yes, I may have been staring at a glass of wine while curating names for the business 20 years ago, we chose the name “half full” to remind everyone that we are about people first. Every single one of us has something going on that we will never, EVER understand. The lived experience in this room is an incredible celebration upon itself. And we owe this gathering of so many unique stories and gifts to the Girl Scouts of Southeastern New England.  

While I may be struggling with exactly what my call to serve looks like right now, I do know that I am not alone as so many of us are struggling with that same question and/or wondering if they are doing enough. To which I will respond: you are doing it, and in a small way, I am too.

Continue to share your gifts. Continue to raise your voice. Continue to be a disruptor. And we will make it through the challenges together.