Women's Expo celebrates womanhood

Internationally known hairstylist Nick Chavez can't think of anywhere he would rather be Saturday than in Yuma at the Women's Expo.
 
"It's really a blessing," Chavez said about being asked to present a special first-time award as the finale for the event.
 
The Women's Expo, co-sponsored by the Yuma chapter of American Business Women and Yuma Regional Medical Center, will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the Yuma Civic Center, 1440 Desert Hills Drive.
 
It promises to be a jam-packed day to celebrate womanhood the day before Mother's Day. Admission is $2.
 
The event will feature a host of exhibitors, full lineup of entertainment and many activities designed to educate, enrich and pamper women. YRMC focuses on the wellness of women, while ABWA's mission is personal and professional development.
 
Activities will include a mini-book club, roundtable health care discussions, makeovers and demonstrations of crafts and hobbies to tweak the interest of women.
 
During the expo's closing ceremony, one Yuma woman will be honored with the inaugural Inspirational Woman Award.
 
"I'm really excited to be asked to present the award to someone who lost everything and struggled back," Chavez said. "I'm really blessed to give the award. One of the greatest gifts is to give back."
 
He's equally impressed with the women who put together the expo.
  
"Such amazing women to come together to put this on," Chavez said. "It's one of the most beautiful things when women come together like this to make a difference ... to create a comfortable and safe environment for women to reflect on what they want, to let them know they have a voice. This group really speaks volumes about what can be done."
 
Chavez said he considers women as "beautiful crystals" who sometimes get a little dusty from life's wear and tear. And he's thrilled that the expo will provide the inspiration and tools for them to again shine.
 
He's even donating samples of the line of hair products he developed - enough for 1,000 women. Those products are marketed on QVC and online at www.qvc.com.
 
It's no coincidence Chavez would enjoy taking part in a Yuma event. He has deep roots here, having grown up the son of farmers in the Gila Valley.
 
He frequently returns to visit his family and oversee his horse ranch that sits on 42 acres in the North Gila Valley. One of his 36 champion horses won a silver medal at the Olympics.
 
Chavez attributes his success to his upbringing and his hard-working and supportive parents. "My father had a great work ethic. And my mother told me I could do whatever I wanted."
 
That's advice he hopes to share with others at the expo.