Yuma women gather for HerStory Tea Party, leadership and networking event

Three Yuma County women shared personal stories at Onvida Health Conference Center on Saturday as Yuma’s Territorial Charter Chapter of the American Business Women’s Association used its HerStory Tea Party to connect leadership, networking and support for women across the community.

The event ran from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 2400 S. Avenue A, with doors opening at 10 a.m. for social mix-and-mingle time before the program began at 11:30 a.m. Tickets were listed at $35, and attendees were offered tea, light treats, a thoughtful gift at each seat and a silent auction that opened before the program and closed shortly after the stories ended.

Chapter leaders Susan James and Kerrie Underhill said the tea party was meant to empower women, inspire other women and show attendees that they were not alone in what they were facing. That focus gave the afternoon a business and civic purpose beyond the tea service and decorations, positioning the gathering as a place where women could hear from peers, make connections and leave with a stronger professional network.

The event also drew familiar local names from Yuma’s civic and education circles, including Arizona Western College leader Dr. Reetika Dhawan and Yuma City Councilmember Carol Smith. Their presence signaled that the chapter is working to pull together women from business, government and higher education in one room, where vendors and speakers can turn a social event into a practical networking opportunity.

The HerStory 2026 award winners and speakers included Sabra Lemmon, Maria Chavoya and Brooke Adams-Ferguson. The event listing said attendees would hear heartfelt stories from three women from Yuma County, and Saturday’s program centered on that idea, using personal experience as the bridge between leadership development and community support.

The chapter says its mission is to provide opportunities for women to reimagine their futures, enhance educational opportunities and improve professionalism. The national American Business Women’s Association describes itself as a place for working women and women business owners who want to learn, connect and grow. That is the standard HerStory Tea Party appeared to be trying to meet in Yuma: not just a social gathering, but a venue where women can build contacts, find mentorship and see leadership modeled by people already working in the county.

The format is not new for the chapter. A prior ABWA HerStory Ladies Tea Party was held April 16, 2023, at the Yuma Civic Center, showing the chapter has used the event before as a recurring platform for stories, recognition and professional connection.