Sisters Incynch looks to celebrate diversity among women

Managing Editor

Sisters Incynch looks to unite women on campus next semester through imagery, storytelling and music.

“Women have a voice and it’s important that this society listens to it,” said Sisters Incynch secretary Claudia Alferez-Walden.

Last Monday, Sisters Incynch club leaders discussed presenting an educational drama, or edudrama, celebrating women of character and commitment next March. Along with Alferez-Walden, five other presenters are set to discuss their cultural backgrounds during Women’s History Month.

A Mexican immigrant who has been in the country for ten years, Alferez-Walden plans to talk about her life, from family influences to the future ahead of her, at the Mar. 4 event. “It’s about empowering other women and I can represent the Latin group,” she said.

Karen Ferrer-Muniz, associate dean of instructional support services and retention, will also discuss her Latin American roots on the panel. “You really need to be humble to remind yourself who your parents are and where you came from,” said Ferrer-Muniz. She first arrived in the United States over two decades ago from Puerto Rico to pursue her education at UAlbany.

“With our panelists, as women, we all have a story to tell based on our different racial and ethnic background so my whole point is to bring everyone together,“ said Sisters Incynch advisor and assistant professor Tamu Chambers. She hopes the March event could develop into a SUNY-wide travelling edudrama.

After the last presentation, Sisters Incynch members will form a circle, pass down a torch among each member of the group and recite poetry. “For those who have achieved success, we’re obligated to pass the torch onto the next generation for the betterment of society,” said Chambers.

Along with stories, cultural music and dance will be included at next semester’s event. Former Sisters Incynch vice president Ashley Dunbar came back to meet with the club last week to work on choreography for the event.

Since leaving the organization over a year ago, Dunbar has kept in touch with Chambers. “We’re all in this together at the end of the day,” she said.

After exploring different cultures through the club this semester, Sisters Incynch president Brianna Reed said that the club helped change her perspective. “It’s not a club where you participate because it’s something to do, but you actually begin to feel it,” said Reed.