Sisterhood of Solidarity

A first-generation student, Anyfern González ’23 admits she had somewhat of a rocky start adjusting to college life. But a retreat with Coming Full Circle (CFC), an on-campus affinity group for Bentley women of color, dramatically changed her experience for the better.   

“We quickly realized that we had similar experiences and had so much in common,” González recalls of the retreat during her first semester, where she found inspiration from vulnerable conversations. “It was almost like a community within itself.” 

González first heard about Coming Full Circle in an email from Bentley’s Multicultural Center (MCC) the summer before she arrived on campus. She began following the group’s Instagram account and was intrigued by postings about events — a self-defense class, paint night, study abroad Q&A — and more formal discussions around identity and the intersectionality of marginalized communities. She attended her first meeting that fall and quickly created a network with classmates and mentors like Marketing professor Isaura Beltre ’99, MSIAM ’02, the group’s faculty adviser. 

“CFC provided a space for me to not only connect with people but also to release a little bit of the stress of adjusting to college,” González says of weekly Sunday night meetings held in spaces like the Student Center, Multicultural Center Lounge and Spiritual Life Center. “Our mission for CFC is to cultivate a sisterhood, solidarity and success for women of color at Bentley and beyond. It’s a chance to be our authentic selves and is a real confidence builder.”

Coming Full Circle’s roots date back to 1990, when the Multicultural Center launched The Women’s Group, an empowerment program for women of color in the Bentley community to discuss issues on campus. Alumnae participation in its programming substantially increased as the group evolved, and in 2000, it was renamed Coming Full Circle to reflect that trend. 

“We saw this change in students who were learning things through CFC programming and implementing them in their lives and then literally coming full circle by returning to campus and sharing it with students,” says Associate Director of Mentorship and Advising Claudette Blot, who has helped manage the group for nearly two decades. “Our programming reflects what the students ask for and need. We’re empowering women to do what they do best.” 

One of the most popular programs is the annual off-campus retreat, which includes personal and professional development workshops, conversations and social events. Another signature program is ‘Hey, Bentley Girl,’ a day of written and recorded affirmations created by people across campus that are shared on CFC and MCC social media accounts.  

“It sounds simple,” Blot says, “but people don’t hear often enough how important they are to the Bentley community.” Among the messages: ‘Be beautiful.’ ‘You deserve the best.’ ‘You are strong.’ ‘Look how far you’ve come.’ ‘Invest in yourself.’ ‘You are the moment.’  

FULL CIRCLE MOMENTS  

Beltre is among the alumnae who participate in CFC events — candidly sharing stories of growing up in a marginalized community in Lynn, Massachusetts, attending Bentley and successfully navigating the corporate world. In 2022, she said ‘yes’ to being the group’s faculty adviser.    

“It’s so impactful to have a mentor, someone you can share your ideas with and who will find opportunities for you,” says Beltre, the daughter of parents who came to the U.S. from the Dominican Republic. A first-generation student, she credits the nonprofit Girls Inc. of Lynn with inspiring her to attend college. Her career roles included vice president at Macy’s before becoming a Bentley professor and launching a consulting business. “Sometimes you can’t be what you can’t see.” 

Educause reports that “having a mentor of the same gender who is similar in age or ethnicity establishes a basis for understanding experiences or challenges in the workplace specific to the mentee.” Affinity groups like Coming Full Circle present powerful platforms for intentional mentorship and support. 

“It’s important to have mentors who look like you because there’s some commonality of lived experiences that is understood; you don’t have to explain what you’re going through or what it feels like,” Blot says. “Coming Full Circle is open to all women because as women, we have to empower each other. It’s like having a big hug from your sister who is there for support.”  

González agrees. “Once I heard about Isa’s journey, I felt more empowered to acknowledge and share my own,” she says of connecting with Beltre at a CFC alumni speaker series. Growing up, González advocated for her parents who immigrated to the U.S. from the Dominican Republic. At Bentley, she incorporated on-campus advocacy as a central part of who she is. In addition to serving as CFC vice president, she served in roles such as student director in the Bentley Service-Learning and Civic Engagement Center and intern in the Office of Diversity and Inclusion. She was also in the Women’s Leadership Program.  

In February 2023, González — who majored in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion with a second major in Liberal Studies: Global Perspectives — was recognized with the Dr. Earl L. Avery MLK Leadership Award. Beltre, a beloved mentor on campus and associate director of the FirstGen Presidential Fellows program, was the faculty award winner.  

Beltre shares this advice with CFC mentees: “You have value. Work hard to find your power and don’t give that power away to anyone.” 

Those sentiments inspire González, who plans to stay involved in CFC — now as an alumna. “I have been able to advocate for others because I knew that people like Isa and my CFC women were behind me. Advocacy energizes me, and I know it will for life.” 

Coming Full Circle is funded and managed by the Bentley Multicultural Center.