Lisa Bird was recently crowned Mrs. Maine’s Sweetheart. Competing as Mrs. Southern Maine, Bird won the state title in the Crossroads’ Maine Academic Scholarship Pageant. She will compete in a national competition in Florida next summer.
Lisa Bird chuckles as she describes herself as a non-stereotypical pageant winner.
The Crossroads competition she won focuses on community involvement and achievement, rather than physical attributes. “The pageant is all about character and giving back,” she said. Crossroads is a non-profit organization whose goal is to empower youth to value and participate in their communities as volunteers and leaders who promote social responsibility and acceptance of all regardless of race, religion, ethnicity, mental capacity or sexual orientation.
This message is important to Bird whose family has a very strong ethic of volunteerism. She said, “I grew up in a family of service.” Her grandfather, Micky Boutilier started the Special Olympics program here in Maine many years ago. She added that volunteers gain as much, if not more from volunteering as do the recipients.
Photo credit: Frank BirdLisa Bird is headed to Florida as one of Maine’s representatives in the USA Ambassador Pageant in July 2025.
As a super volunteer, Bird actively supports several organizations like TIP-Trauma Intervention Program, a non-profit organization dedicated to ensuring that those who are emotionally traumatized in emergency situations receive the immediate assistance they need. She also supports Honor Flight, The Clothes Closet, and several other non-profits. This month she will be participating in the Walk to End Alzheimer’s, in honor of her dad and on New Year’s Day she will be jumping into the icy waters of the Atlantic for the Special Olympics Lobster Dip, which she has done several times before.
One of her motivations for entering the pageant is that Bird is also enthusiastic that women of all ages, and particularly those of a somewhat older age, keep striving, contributing, and challenging themselves. She believes that each of us have a special gift and that age, size, shape, etc. do not matter. She wants to change the stereotype of pageant winners. “What truly counts is who you are on the inside, how you use your God-given gifts, and how you give back,” she said.
Bird is challenging herself as well. She recently left a 30-year position as the Director of Public Relations for Special Olympics Maine. Last year, she was recognized for her work when she was selected as one of Coast Radio’s 20 Outstanding Women in Maine for her work with a variety of volunteer organizations.
Bird has challenged herself by accepted a ground-breaking new position at Granite Bay Care (GBC), Maine’s largest provider of residential services for adults with intellectual disabilities. As the GBC compliance manager and public safety liaison she is developing and nurturing relationships between police, fire and rescue personnel and her clients and also with staff, most of whom are new Mainers. She is working to break down walls between staff and public safety, that have been built by language and cultural barriers and a fear of authorities. She hopes that the model she develops will be replicated in other facilities around the country.
Hockey mom, Bird, lives with her husband Frank of 27 years, three rescue dogs, and a few thousand bees. Their two sons, Noah and Jonah are GHS grads. Noah is coaching hockey at USM and Jonah is playing hockey at Thomas College. They are really proud and excited for their mom.
Lisa Bird can be reached at Mrs. Maine Sweetheart Facebook page or mrsmainesweetheart@gmail.com.