The Sisters of Color (SOC) is an affinity group at Lincoln that focuses on empowering and bringing together women of color. SOC provides opportunities to connect and foster leadership and community. I am a member of the SOC club, and it is a great place for women of color to come together, form community and empower one another.
Riley DeBose, now serving as co-president, plays a pivotal role in shaping the club’s future and supporting its members. DeBose said SOC is a significant resource and community, especially because of Lincoln’s demographics. “Lincoln being a predominantly white school, I think it’s important to have affinity clubs,” DeBose said. She emphasized that SOC supports “two minority groups,” creating an intentional space to recognize both gender and race.
Fellow co-president Lana Santa-Maria echoed this perspective, stating that SOC is a strong resource and community for students. “Having affinity spaces like this, especially for people of color, is really important in identity and safe spaces to come to,” Santa-Maria said. She also noted that SOC is a reliable resource even for people who don’t attend every meeting. “It’s just important to know that there are peers who experience the same things as you and have people to lean on.”
Beyond providing support, SOC encourages connection and belonging. DeBose described SOC meetings as a welcoming space and a great place to find new friends and bond with people who share similar experiences. She said the club is open to new members and encourages people to join.
Santa-Maria added that SOC is important not just at Lincoln but on a larger scale, as it helps highlight injustices within the school system and worldwide while addressing the challenges of intersectionality for women of color. DeBose hopes to collaborate with other affinity groups in the future, and Santa-Maria said SOC is currently planning for Black Lives Matter Week of Action, noting that support from the Lincoln community during that week is crucial.
If you are interested in joining the club, attend meetings in the multicultural room on Fridays during lunch.