Club Feature: The Women of Color Collective

By: Olivia Aragon

Photographed by: Yolanda Diaz

The mission of the Women of Color Collective (WOCC) club at George Fox University (GFU) is “to empower women of color through the creation of a Christ-centered community where they will be inspired, educated, and supported.” The WOCC is a space that welcomes everyone, but the main conversations of the club are centered around women of color. 

According to president Maria Castañeda-Cervantes, the members of the “Women of Color Collective will be spiritually and mentally enriched by participating in events and discussions that will allow them to grow as leaders, network with others, build their confidence, and grow in their walk with God.”

Maria Castañeda-Cervantes photographed by Yolanda Diaz.

The WOCC hosts a range of events and activities for its members such as bowling nights, arts and crafts events, movie nights, and panels with women of color from the community. They have celebrated holidays such as Halloween and Valentine’s Day. The main focus of these activities is to create “a safe space where people can come in, take a break from homework and meet new people.” Currently, the WOCC has not done any activism but will consider it for the future. 

The club’s president Castañeda-Cervantes said her experience with WOCC has been "amazing. It has given me the opportunity to engage in meaningful conversations with diverse intercultural students. As a result of these discussions, my outlook on the world has widened to include the diverse assets that others have to offer.”

Castañeda-Cervantes’s favorite memory from the club was from last year’s panel. “[The panel] was so amazing and [it was] inspiring to hear the stories of other women in the workforce and it motivated me to continue on with my education.” 

Castañeda-Cervantes’s favorite part of being in the club is knowing “that all the girls that come and support us want to be here because they feel like they belong. [T]hat makes me so happy!”

There are around thirty current members who are a part of the WOCC. Keep up-to-date with this club on Instagram at WOCC.GFU, where events are posted, or contact the club’s secretary Diana Tee at dtee19@georgefox.edu.