Pannysylvania Magazine

Menifee Montgomery, Kentucky, United States – October 15, 2026 – Beth Lewis Maze is encouraging people to take a more active role in their communities, arguing that leadership begins long before someone earns a title or reaches a position of influence.

Drawing from a lifetime of experiences that included student leadership, public service, education, and community involvement, Maze is raising awareness about the importance of volunteerism, civic participation, and personal responsibility as pathways to stronger communities and personal growth.

“Some of the most important lessons I learned came from simply showing up and getting involved,” said Maze. “You don’t have to hold an important position to make a difference. You can start by helping a neighbor, volunteering for a local organization, or participating in your community.”

Maze’s message comes at a time when civic engagement is making a significant comeback across the United States. According to research from the U.S. Census Bureau and AmeriCorps, more than 75.7 million Americans formally volunteered through organizations between September 2022 and September 2023, contributing nearly 5 billion hours of service valued at more than $167 billion. Additionally, 54.2% of Americans reported helping neighbors informally, whether through errands, lending assistance, or other acts of support.

For Maze, those numbers reflect something deeper than statistics.

“Communities become stronger when people stop waiting for someone else to solve problems,” she said. “Real change often starts with ordinary people deciding to get involved.”

Growing up in Benton, Kentucky, Maze learned the value of service early. Her father served as both a trial lawyer and state representative, while her mother was principal of Benton Elementary School. As a teenager, she worked as a page on the Kentucky House floor, traveled across the state during her father’s political campaign, served as President of Marshall County Student Council, and balanced school leadership roles with a job as a lifeguard at Kentucky Dam State Park.

“Working while I was in school taught me responsibility,” Maze said. “Those experiences helped me understand that success is built one day at a time.”

She believes many of the challenges facing communities today can be addressed when people reconnect with that same sense of responsibility and involvement.

Research supports that view. Studies highlighted by AmeriCorps have found that volunteering benefits not only communities but also volunteers themselves, contributing to improved well-being, stronger social connections, and increased civic participation.

Maze points to her own experiences as evidence of the value of stepping outside one’s comfort zone. While attending the University of Kentucky, she completed her student teaching in Quito, Ecuador, an experience that broadened her perspective and reinforced the importance of adaptability.

“Being willing to learn from new experiences can change your life,” she said. “Growth usually happens when you’re challenged.” She urges young people to look at all options to grow into adulthood. Consider getting a job in Disney’s college program, an internship that Beth Maze enjoyed, or joining AmeriCorps or other institutions that expand horizons. Maze said that her “internship with Disney was an incredible experience as she worked and conversed daily with other students and visitors from all over the United States and the World. To have the best community we can have, we all need to learn to work together, no matter our differences.”

Rather than focusing on major accomplishments, Maze hopes people will recognize the impact of consistent effort and everyday leadership.

“The best leaders are often the people working behind the scenes,” she said. “They’re coaching youth sports, serving on community boards, helping schools, supporting neighbors, and showing up when they’re needed.”

A Call to Action

Maze encourages individuals to identify one meaningful way to become more engaged in their communities during the coming year. That could include volunteering with a nonprofit, mentoring a young person, participating in local government meetings, supporting schools, or simply helping neighbors.

“You don’t need a special title, special training, or permission to make a positive impact,” Maze said. “Start where you are. Use the skills you have. Small actions can create lasting change.”

She believes that when more people embrace service, responsibility, and lifelong learning, communities become stronger and future generations gain positive examples to follow.

“Leadership is not about recognition,” Maze said. “It’s about making things a little better than you found them.”

About Beth Lewis Maze

Beth Lewis Maze is a Kentucky native who grew up in Benton, Kentucky. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree with honors from the University of Kentucky and later graduated from Salmon P. Chase College of Law. In 1988 she moved to Eastern Kentucky where she worked for legal aid, was a prosecutor and a judge. Throughout her life, she has been active in leadership, education, community involvement, and public service. Today, Maze focuses on sharing lessons about hard work, perseverance, personal growth, and the importance of giving back to one’s community.

Media Contact
Company Name: Beth Maze
Contact Person: Media Relations
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City: Montgomery
State: Kentucky
Country: United States
Website: bethlewismaze.com