By Julia Train
Each year, the William Davies Middle School in Mays Landing celebrates Women’s History Month by hosting the Ladies’ Tea, a special event to empower young women through networking and mentorship. This year marks its 17th anniversary.
The tea began as a small celebration and has grown into a highly anticipated career day for students, offering them the chance to interact with local, influential women from all walks of life.
The Ladies’ Tea is a collaborative effort driven by a committee of over 30 women—and one or two men— who are staff members, teachers and community members.
Each year, a theme is chosen to inspire the students, and this year’s is “The bravest thing you can be is yourself.”
The approximately 70 ladies in attendance dress up and head to the school’s Innovation Center, which is decorated and transformed into a café. During the event, the ladies participate in a table etiquette lesson and network with about 40 female professionals.
It’s followed by a lunch, which is paid for through a pride grant from the Hamilton Township Education Association and prepared by the school’s cafeteria staff.
The event is made possible through community support, including donations of table linens, place settings and goodie bags for the women who attend from local businesses, like Resorts in Atlantic City and book company HMH.
Each year, teachers nominate students from the sixth, seventh and eighth grades to attend the Ladies’ Tea. Attendees do not have to fit any specific criteria, as the criteria are designed to be inclusive, ensuring that students from diverse backgrounds and experiences can benefit from the event.
“It’s just somebody that you would think would benefit from the day, whether they need a positive role model, or they’re already a leader, and we’re giving them some more networking,” said Jessica Tobin, Ladies’ Tea chairwoman and teacher at the middle school, about choosing students to participate.
The professionals who attend are successful women from the local community that committee members know personally and think would be effective speakers for the event.
Although those who attend can only do so once, some students even go beyond attending the event—they use the Ladies’ Tea as a stepping stone for future opportunities. Tobin recalled a student, who attended last year’s tea and was inspired by a local caterer to pursue a career in catering, eventually landing an internship with the caterer after the event.
Over the years, the Ladies’ Tea has impacted both students and alumni. Some past attendees even come back to help with the event, paying it forward by serving as role models for the next generation. Tobin recalled the story of a former student who attended the Ladies’ Tea, went on to study social work, and now returns as a speaker.
For many students, the event also serves as a motivational tool. Tobin said some students who struggle with discipline or other areas of their education are encouraged to work toward the Ladies’ Tea as something to look forward to.
This year, the Ladies’ Tea will take place on March 28 from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and Desha Jackson, a lawyer and multi-talented professional known for her inspiring work, will be the guest speaker.
Julia is a recent Rider University graduate, where she studied multiplatform journalism and social media strategies. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, trying new coffee shops, photography and the beach. She can be reached at juliatrainmedia@gmail.com or connect with her on Instagram @juliatrain
