Indonesian bale desa (village halls) are traditionally seen as public service centres for rural communities. For the people living in Tengger, East Java, Indonesia, village halls play a dual role as public service centres and venues where villagers observe and preserve age-old customs in which women’s leadership is of paramount importance. This study aims to identify the local values related to women’s hard work and adroitness in maintaining the continuity of customs and tradition, and analyse the way Tengger women exercise their leadership in village halls and the contributions they make to the preservation of local culture. This research uses a field research design, which relies on the participant observational data collection in the villages in Tosari Subdistrict, Pasuruan Regency, East Java. The outcomes of the study show that the bale desa is a functional and vital customary instrument in the preservation of tradition thanks to women’s leadership and managerial roles. The important position of women in the bale desa’s public space has guaranteed the preservation of local values which are deeply rooted in the spirit of cooperation, hard work, and solidarity