This month, we celebrate Sharon Lewis-Jarmon, a woman who has shattered barriers in education, STEM, and business. As a STEM educator, entrepreneur, and founder of the San Antonio Cigar Festival (SACF), Sharon’s journey is a testament to resilience, passion, and leadership.
A proud native of San Antonio, Sharon’s career in STEM and education has spanned 26 years, shaping young minds as a Secondary Science teacher, mentor, and coach. Currently, she teaches Chemistry and Principles of Engineering at Central Catholic High School and leads the Iron Fangs Robotics Team. Her commitment to increasing minority representation in STEM has been a driving force in her career, ensuring that underrepresented youth have access to opportunities, mentorship, and innovation. Beyond the classroom, Sharon is a cultural curator and entrepreneur. As the founder of the San Antonio Cigar Festival, she has worked tirelessly to build an inclusive cigar culture, particularly for women. Noticing a lack of female representation in cigar lounges, she networked, built relationships, and launched SACF, now a thriving annual event in its third year.
Sharon’s path has been filled with challenges, but she has faced each one with determination and strength. As a minority woman in STEM and the cigar industry, she often found herself in male-dominated spaces. Instead of being discouraged, she used these experiences as motivation to mentor young women and create inclusive opportunities. Establishing a major festival in a competitive, male-dominated industry was no small feat. Through strategic partnerships, perseverance, and vision, she turned SACF into a celebrated success. In 2023, she survived a stroke, a life-altering moment that reshaped her priorities, teaching her to live with intention and purpose. As a mother, educator, entrepreneur, and caregiver for her mother with dementia, she has mastered the art of resilience and leaning on a strong support system.
Sharon’s advice to women looking to succeed in STEM, education, or entrepreneurship is both powerful and practical. She encourages women to embrace being the only one in the room, as their presence creates opportunities for change. She stresses the importance of staying curious and continuously learning, as knowledge is power. Finding a strong support system, taking risks, and executing ideas are also key to success. She believes that the difference between a dream and reality is action, and fear should never be a roadblock.
Giving back and lifting others along the way is a value she holds dear, as true success is measured by who you help along the journey. After her stroke, she realized the importance of making every moment count and living with intention.
Sharon Lewis-Jarmon continues to break barriers, inspire change, and redefine what it means to be a woman in STEM, business, and community leadership. As she prepares for her robotics team’s first major competition and the 2025 San Antonio Cigar Festival, she remains unstoppable. Her motto, "Live with intention, lead with passion, and leave a legacy," perfectly reflects the impact she continues to make. Thank you, Sharon, for being a trailblazer and an inspiration to us all!
To learn more about Sharon Lewis-Jarmon's work, connect with her and the San Antonio Cigar Festival through the links below:
Website: San Antonio Cigar Festival
Instagram: @iamsharonlewis
Facebook: Sharon Lewis
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