A Circle of Gratitude and Belonging

Walking into Jacquelyn Smith-Edwards’ Sister Circle felt less like attending an event and more like being welcomed into a space that you already knew. 

Jacquelyn, a board member of One Circle Foundation, is someone who truly lives the work. She is deeply involved in her community and has been a trained facilitator of our Girls Circle model since 2019. She has been using our models and curricula for years, creating safe Circle spaces. This Women’s Circle was no exception. It was thoughtful, intentional, and full of care. 

I attended her Women’s Circle holiday party, and we began the evening the way all powerful Circles do, by gathering together with purpose. We moved through a full Circle process: an opening, an introduction to the theme, a check-in, a creative activity, sharing, and a closing. The theme for the night was gratitude, which felt especially fitting for the season and for the space we were in. 

For our activity, we were invited to decorate an ornament with something we were grateful for. It sounds simple, but there was something incredibly grounding about slowing down and reflecting on gratitude in a room full of women. Everyone leaned into the creativity in their own way. Some ornaments were carefully detailed, others minimal and symbolic, all of them meaningful. 

Afterward, we shared. One by one, women spoke about what they were grateful for and why. The Circle included women ranging from their 20s to their 80s, all sitting together, listening, and witnessing one another. There was no hierarchy, no pressure, just presence. 

What stood out to me most was the sense of safety in the room. This wasn’t just a holiday gathering;, it was a space where women could come exactly as they are and feel seen, heard, and connected. At one point, a woman shared, “Other than church, this is my only safe space.” That statement stayed with me. It was a powerful reminder of how rare spaces like this can be, and how deeply needed they are. 

Sister Circle wasn’t about having the perfect words or the perfect craft. It was about connection. It was about gratitude, not just for things, but for people, for community, and for spaces that allow us to show up fully. 

Leaving that night, I felt grounded and grateful to myself. Grateful for Jacquelyn’s leadership, for the women who showed up, and for the Circle process that continues to create spaces of belonging. Experiences like this are a reminder of why this work matters and how meaningful it can be when done with intention and heart. 

Watch and get to know Jacquelyn and her partner as they share about their experience as facilitators.