Women from Across San Antonio Gather for St. Philip’s High Tea and Hats

Nearly 200 women from across the city gathered on Aug. 2, 2025, for St. Philip’s College’s biennial High Tea and Hats, an afternoon event that honored leadership and legacy.

Hosted on the third floor in the Bowden Alumni Center, the event embraced the theme, “Walking in Her Footsteps,” a tribute to the life of Saint Artemisia Bowden, the college’s founding president.

“Saint Artemisia left St. Philip’s College with a rich legacy that stands as a point of pride and also challenges us to strive for greatness,” said Dr. Adena Williams Loston, president of St. Philip’s College. “Her dedication, tireless work, and vision laid the foundation for the growth and development of our college that we see today.”

Canonized by the Episcopal Church in 2015, Bowden led the college for 52 years. Her memory is honored through several campus landmarks, including the Saint Artemisia Bowden Building and the student-run fine dining establishment, Artemisia’s.

This year’s event featured courses of tea, classical harp, and keyboard music. Highlights of the afternoon included a check presentation of a $35,000 donation from the San Antonio Chapter of The Links, Incorporated, and a recognition of San Antonio Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones as the inaugural “Belle of the Tea.”

The event concluded with a tea toast, a Fancy Hats Fashion Show, and a reminder of the shared mission to uplift future generations through education.

“Your presence here today is a testament to your commitment to our community and to changing lives,” said Dr. Loston. “Thank you for partnering with us to empower students at St. Philip’s College to find their purpose and walk in their passion.”