AUBURN – With the theme of “Women, Tea and Conversation,” music, laughter and interaction could be heard Sept. 10 on the lawn of Central Maine Community College.

Under a large tent accented by miniature white lights, the cities of Lewiston and Auburn and Club W! of St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center hosted the fourth annual Celebrating the Women of LA event.

Each year Celebrating the Women of LA, sponsored by area businesses, honors women within the Lewiston-Auburn community, past and present. Again this year, the celebration offered a time of appreciation for the contributions women continue to make in the world around them.

Attendees were welcomed by Auburn Mayor Normand W. Guay and Pauline Raymond, wife of Lewiston Mayor Laurier T. Raymond Jr.

Judy Hiltz, RNC, provided inspirational words encouraging women to be proud of the roles they fill within their homes, places of employment and community, as well as celebrating their own personalities and strengths. Also featured were local singers Bette Sanborn and Nick Knowlton.

A special part of the evening was the presentation of the U.S. Congressional Record provided by Sen. Susan Collins, which included the names of Lewiston-Auburn women who had been honored through commendations by friends and/or family.

Honored were Gail Richards, Judy Merced, Crystal Brissette, Sandy Barnies, Linda Saucier, Lorraine Yvonne Poulin Sheehy and Etta Y. Mitchell.

Attendees received tea cups filled with various items and the opportunity to win door prizes. Also in attendance were the Maine Women’s Fund featuring “A Woman’s Touch” calendars benefitting advocacy for women/girls and “Designs by Lucinda” benefitting the Good Shepherd Food Pantry and the Breast Health Program at St. Mary’s.