Exploring Undergraduate Black Womyn’s Motivations for Engaging in “Sister Circle” Organizations

Abstract

The purpose of this critical qualitative inquiry was to explore what motivated undergraduate Black womyn (UBW) to engage in “Sister Circle”- type student organizations—or groups that center race and gender. Using a critical race feminist theoretical lens, data were collected through a combination of one-on-one interviews and focus groups. Through this project, we found that participants were motivated to engage in “sister circle” organizations because they were interested in observing how Black womyn co-existed in community, finding role models who may have had similar experiences to provide guidance, and finding a space to discuss and be more of themselves. This study demonstrates that external factors influenced by interlocking systems of oppression are pushing UBW to find and create spaces where they can resolve these negative experiences and messages in productive and healthy ways.