ABWA- Lakeland Downtown Chapter

09/04/2026

We did it again, level 1 Best Practices! 🎉
Our Lakeland Downtown Chapter works hard to achieve this high honor with fellow chapters every year — recognizing leagues with the most new members recruited, strongest total rosters, top conference attendance, and excellence in operating as a successful nonprofit organization.

08/31/2026

🐸 It’s time to EAT THE FROG!

What is the one task you keep moving to tomorrow’s list? Join the Lakeland Downtown Chapter of ABWA as David Dobbins, Certified FocalPoint Business and Executive Coach, presents “Eat the Frog”—an engaging program focused on overcoming procrastination, managing priorities, and taking back control of your time.
📅 Wednesday, September 9, 2026
🤝 Networking begins at 11:00 a.m.
🎤 Meeting and program: 11:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
📍 Cleveland Heights Golf Club
💵 $30 early registration | $35 day of event
Reserve your seat at http://www.LakelandABWA.com

08/26/2026

Women moving the construction industry ahead today and into the future!

08/22/2026

🎓 INVESTING IN WOMEN. INVESTING IN THEIR FUTURE. 🎓

The Lakeland Downtown Chapter of the American Business Women’s Association is incredibly proud to celebrate FOUR of our own among this year’s 2025–2026 Stephen Bufton Memorial Educational Fund recipients! 💗

🌟 Impact Scholarship Recipient
Elizabeth Schum — attending Southeastern University

📚 Business Skills Tuition Reimbursement Recipients
Susan Chandler
Trina Kingery
Mary Stephenson

And the impact goes far beyond Lakeland.

This year, the ABWA Executive Board and SBMEF Foundation Trustees reviewed more than 300 scholarship applications and awarded nearly $128,000 to 63 deserving recipients!

These awards represent exactly what ABWA is about: creating opportunities for women to learn, grow, strengthen their professional skills, and pursue their ambitions.

We are especially proud to see women connected to our Lakeland Downtown Chapter benefiting from these educational opportunities. Congratulations to Elizabeth, Susan, Trina and Mary! 🎉👏

Your ambition deserves to be activated. 💗

08/17/2026

This is always an empowering event!

🎩 We all wear a lot of hats… so let’s celebrate the women who wear them so well! 💜💛

I’m excited for the 38th Annual ABW Day Celebration — “Balancing the Hats We Wear” hosted by the ABWA Tri-County Council on Saturday, August 29th!

This is always such a special day filled with friendship, leadership, networking, education, inspiration and FUN — and an opportunity to celebrate the incredible women who make ABWA so meaningful.

✨ Inspiring speakers
✨ Amazing women
✨ Great connections
✨ Lunch, laughter & plenty of ABWA energy!

And the fun doesn’t stop with the daytime celebration — there are activities happening throughout the weekend!

📅 Saturday, August 29, 2026
📍 Embassy Suites, Fort Lauderdale
⏰ Registration 8:00 AM | Event 9:00 AM–2:30 PM

Grab your favorite “hat” and join us! 🎩👒💼💜

08/09/2026

WOW! What a wonderful day at our ABWA - First Coast Council annual ABW Day event. We had so much fun, laughter, hugs, networking, amazing presentations from ABWA President Barbara Pederson, DVP-1 rep Dr. DJ, and our American Business Women of the Year, J.Franco. Campaign season is officially underway so DVP-1 candidates Alexia Martin and Rhonda Bender perfectly shared their 3 minute speech. We always enjoy a day of connection, celebration and recognition with our ABWA sisters from North Florida. ❤️🥰🤩🎉

08/04/2026

Bring your friends and colleagues for an inspiring afternoon of connection, community, and leadership!

The ABWA Lakeland Downtown Chapter is honored to welcome Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd as the guest speaker for our August luncheon. Join local professionals and community leaders for meaningful networking and an engaging program focused on community involvement and leadership.

Wednesday, August 12
Networking begins at 11:00 a.m.
Lunch and program: 11:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Cleveland Heights Golf Club
2900 Buckingham Avenue, Lakeland

Early registration: $30
Day-of registration: $35

Members and guests are welcome. Invite someone who would enjoy making new connections and becoming more involved in our community!

Register today at lakelandabwa.com

07/29/2026

Woohoo! We have uploaded the Best Practice Binder for 2025-2026 Award Year. Looking back Lakeland Downtown Chapter has down some amazing things. Education was awesome, collaboration of leaders made things happen and all the wonderful members showed up to connect.Thank you!

07/08/2026

ABWA Lakeland Downtown Chapter is happy to announce our new Executive Board for the 2026-2027 year. Right to left - Susan Chandler, President, Mary Stephenson, Vice President, Brandie Mercer, Secretary and Jennifer Bailey, Treasurer. Looking to forward to our new year which starts on August 1st.

04/05/2026

Happy Easter!