The California Lutheran University Sisters’ Circle held its third-annual Passion Gala on Thursday, March 27 in Overton Hall. Club members and newcomers alike came together in a pink-filled setting to celebrate community, womanhood, and friendship–“Bridgerton” style.
According to the club’s description, “Sisters’ Circle exists to provide support and community for women as well as non-binary & feminine presenting individuals who identify with the struggles of womanhood on campus.” Although “Sisters’ Circle was initially founded as a support group for only Black women,” the club’s events are open to everyone on campus.
Senior N’dia Battle, Sisters’ Circle president and social media manager, said the club hosts the Passion Gala as an extension of its monthly “Spill the Tea” nights.
“We kind of just come together to drink hot tea, and then talk about any of our issues and ailments happening on campus that are related to womanhood or Black womanhood,” Battle said.
This year’s Passion Gala was themed after the Netflix series, “Bridgerton.” Sister’s Circle secretary sophomore Nadege Adibonou said this theme made sense because the gala was a bigger version of the club’s “Spill the Tea” nights.
“We were kind of just like, ‘You know, if we want people to, like, dress up fancy, we might as well pick a show that kind of revolves around the sense of outfits and dress and theme, aesthetic that we want,” Adibonou said. “ So, it gives people a better understanding of, like, what to wear, because I feel like last year, the problem was, like, people didn’t know how to dress, and it was very casual, less formal.”
Senior AL’ynnay “Aly” Godfrey, Sisters’ Circle club member and Passion Gala attendee, was appropriately dressed for the theme, complete with a gown and tiara.
“Honestly, once I heard that it was the ‘Bridgerton’ theme, I was like, ‘Oh, I love that show.’ So, I didn’t purposefully go for Lady Danbury, but I feel like that’s what I’m giving off, young Lady Danbury,” Godfrey said.
Godfrey said she attended the event with her roommates to show support for Battle, their fellow “bestie” and roommate, but also because she loves Sisters’ Circle.
“All of the events that I go to, that I can make it to, it has been very welcoming. It’s been fun. I’ve been able to meet so many new people,” Godfrey said.
The Passion Gala featured a handful of different activities in which attendees could participate, as well as tables of food from which to graze. There was also, of course, a hot tea station. Adibonou said the diversity of activities at the event was intentional.
“We had, like, photo ops, you know, for people who want to take pictures. We had bracelet making just in case you’re, like, a little bit more shy, more reserved. We have henna, we have an artist who’s there to paint,” Adibonou said. “It’s just an opportunity for everybody to find something that they like and they want to, you know, partake in and still be in an environment where we’re all kind of sharing this experience and this culture together.”
Adibonou said the club plans on hosting a few more events, including a couple more “Spill the Tea” nights, a graduation event, and a beach event.
“I like to even to say to people, even if you can’t make it to a meeting, it’s nice if you can even just make time for an event because all I wanna do is just see you, make sure you’re good, and be in community with you, and just love on you as a fellow sister,” Battle said.
“Sisters’ Circle meets in the Alexander Twilight Legacy of Black Excellence space (located in the Student Union) on Thursdays at 6 p.m.,” according to the club’s description.
For more information about Sisters’ Circle, visit @clusisterscircle on Instagram.
