About Us

Established in 1993, the Women of Color Leadership Network (WOCLN) provides advocacy, mentoring and training for University women and community women of color in the Five College area. In addition, WOCLN functions as a source site for internships connecting students to those organizations whose focus includes social justice work, outreach, economic and health issues for communities of color. The program works independently and in collaboration with many campus and community groups and organizations.

Mission Statement

The mission of WOCLN is to connect women of color to each other for mutual support and learning. Through mentoring, workshops, events and programming WOCLN raises women’s consciousness around issues of social identities, self-care, and self-expression. This program provides a comfortable space where women of color can discover who they are while achieving academic success. At the WOCLN, women of color gain leadership skills necessary to make a difference in the communities of which they are a part.

Historical Overview

Program of the Everywoman's Center 1993-2005

Originally called the Women of Color Program (1993-1997)
Created through activist efforts of International women to re-instate funds and resources dedicated to supporting and retaining women of color at the University of Massachusetts Amherst that were lost in fiscal crisis of late 1980's
State funded programming earmarked through EWC
Name changed to Women of Color Leadership Network (1997) to reflect what we do as well as who we do it for
Strong commitment to hiring & developing both undergraduate and graduate students; strong links to Hampshire & Hampden county community
Focused on student development: personal, professional, academic & community

Program of the Center for Student Development (2005-2009)

Program moved from under EWC to the Center for Student Development (CSD) in 2005
WOCLN became part of a new structure within CSD, the Office of Programs and Services for ALANA Students (OPSAS) in 2006
WOCLN moved back to Everywoman's Center (December 2009)

About Us

Mission Statement

Historical Overview

Program of the Everywoman's Center 1993-2005

Program of the Center for Student Development (2005-2009)

Program of the Everywoman's Center (January 2010 - Present)