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Cigar World WCW: Monique Jones of Women of PCA

Tagged WCW, PCA, Women of PCA
Posted 7 days ago | Less than a minute to read
By: Jean Romanowicz, Editor of Cigar World

Cigar World WCW: Monique Jones of Women of PCA

March is International Women’s Month, and as you all know, PCA is just around the corner. It will be held in The Big Easy this year, the weekend of April 11 th -14th, and we wanted to talk to the Women of PCA about how the organization has been going, what they have been working on, and what we can look forward to seeing from them moving forward. I was able to sit down with Monique Jones from the Women of PCA to get you all the answers. These are definitely some women to pay attention to because they have plans.

Jean: Hello friend! So good to chat with you again. We always seem to touch base at PCA and then lose track of each other throughout the year. Thanks for taking the time to answer some questions for us, here at Cigar World.

Monique: It’s always a pleasure, Jean! I appreciate the opportunity to share more about Women of PCA and what we’re doing in the industry.

Jean: Let’s start by telling our audience what the Women of PCA is?

Monique: Women of PCA (WOPCA) is a resource group within the Premium Cigar Association (PCA) who work in the industry and are Members of PCA themselves are though an employer. They are passionate about cigars and the culture that surrounds them. We aim to support, educate, and empower women in the cigar industry through community-building, advocacy, and mentorship.

Jean: How did this get started, what is the inspiration behind this movement and who all is involved?

Monique: The idea for WOPCA came from a shared desire among women in the industry to create a space that highlights and supports female contributions in what has historically been a male-dominated industry. Kathleen Kelly, owner of Queensbury Cigar & Pipe in Queensbury, New York, and Teresa Wessling of Georgetown Tobacco, who serve as WOPCA Chairs, played a crucial role in making this group a reality. Teresa was excited about working together to establish the group and quickly came up with a plan and the name “Women of PCA.” A small group of us, including retailers, brand owners, and industry professionals, then came together to establish this network. We wanted to ensure that women have a voice and a place to connect, collaborate, and thrive within PCA and beyond.

Jean: How many members do you currently have?

Monique: We currently have around 115 members on our Facebook group a database of over 200 females in the industry. We continue to grow as more women in the industry learn about what we do and see the value of being a part of this network.

Jean: What is your role within the WOPCA?

Monique: I serve as an Event Co-Chair alongside three other incredible women. Together, we organize and coordinate events that bring our members together, whether it's at PCA, regional meet-ups,trade shows or virtual HERFs. Our goal is to create engaging experiences that foster learning, networking, and camaraderie. Women of PCA consists of two committees—membership and events—with six amazing women chairing them. The Membership Committee is made up of Amanda Micallef of Micallef Cigars, Bianca Lopez of Gurkha Cigars, and Mechelle Merkerson of Cigars with “M.” The Event Committee includes Heena Bee of Cigar World Cigar Shop in Ramsey, New Jersey, myself—Monique Jones of Mojo Consulting and Training—and Crystal Herbert of C&M Cigar Brokers. Another person who has been instrumental in the group is Maria Cervantes, program manager for the PCA.

Jean: What made you decide to join/start this group?

Monique: I have always believed in the importance of advocacy and community, and I saw WOPCA as a chance to help build something meaningful for women in the cigar industry. As someone who has been in this space for a while, I wanted to contribute to an organization that uplifts women, provides resources, and creates opportunities for them to succeed. Education and advocacy also played a big part in my decision to join. I strongly believe that knowledge is power, and by providing educational opportunities and advocating for women in the industry, we can help create a more inclusive and supportive environment for all.

Jean: What are your overall objectives as the Women of PCA?

Monique: Our objectives include education, advocacy, and community building. We aim to provide resources and opportunities for women in the cigar industry, foster a welcoming environment for newcomers, and advocate for women's voices in legislative and trade discussions that impact the cigar world.

Jean: What are you all most proud of since you have started this empowering group?

Monique: We are most proud of the connections and relationships we've built within the cigar community. Seeing women come together, support each other, and make lasting impacts in their businesses and careers is incredibly rewarding. We’ve also had a strong presence at PCA, hosting panels and events that have been well received by the industry. One of our proudest moments was our first event at the 2024 trade show—"Women of PCA: The Power of Unity"—a successful networking and happy hour event in Las Vegas, where over 150 people signed up and participated. Additionally, our Women of PCA Policy Conference, in D.C., was another milestone. Our Co-founder Kathleen expressed: "I arrived in D.C. both excited and a little nervous, hoping that people would enjoy the event the team had planned for them. We began the day by having a networking lunch and then gathered to make our way to the Capitol on foot. It was incredibly powerful to see people from all over the U.S. walking together, all here for the same reason, to come together around our shared love for the cigar industry and to get an inside look at our Capitol."

Another highlight was the Women of PCA Tampa Tour, held from November 11-13, 2024. This event exemplified our mission of providing a space for industry women to build relationships, gain knowledge, and advocate for the future of premium cigars. It was an incredible experience where women from across the industry came together to learn, network, and further strengthen our community.