On a warm summer evening in July, I Choose To Win welcomed women from across Philadelphia for an unforgettable gathering: the Sister Circle Roundtable 2025, co-facilitated by Founder Melonie Butler and Constance Brown-Gainor, and hosted by the incomparable Sincerely Syreeta. The theme—“Discovering Strength Through Vulnerability”—set the tone for an evening designed to be a curated check-in on our girls, our sisters, and our friends.
This wasn’t just another event. It was a sacred space. A space where walls came down, hearts opened up, and women were reminded that they are not alone in their experiences, struggles, or triumphs.
A Vision Rooted in Sisterhood
This year’s Sister Circle was especially meaningful as we celebrate 10 years of I Choose To Win. Fittingly, it was co-facilitated by Constance Brown-Gainor, whose journey reflects the heart of our mission. From intern to participant, volunteer to now facilitator, Constance has grown alongside the organization—and now helps carry its vision forward.
When she approached Founder Melonie Butler about co-hosting the Sister Circle, she brought a heartfelt vision to the table—one that honored the real needs of women today. In her own words:
“I’m a people person, a girls’ girl, and someone who truly believes in the power of sisterhood. I noticed a lot of women are often carrying too much on their own, and they shouldn’t have to… I wanted to create a space where women could come, breathe, unload a little, and feel real love—even if just for one night.”
The Power of Gathering
The evening included a mix of meaningful conversation, reflective exercises, shared meals, and moments of honest connection. Women engaged in small group discussions, journaled privately, laughed, cried, and offered each other the kind of support often missing from our day-to-day lives.
When polled on what the word sister meant to them, attendees offered responses such as:
Full acceptance & embrace. Bond. Loyalty. Community. My safe place to be my full self. Shared experiences. Feeling seen, heard, and valued. Sacred unions. Prayer partner. Warrior.
These responses reflected the depth of what Sister Circle has become—a container for truth-telling and a catalyst for healing.
Real Struggles, Shared Humanity
Attendees bravely named the quiet battles they were carrying:
- Mental health
- Loneliness and social isolation
- Navigating life transitions
- Relationships, trust, and discernment
- Grief, self-esteem, and finding clarity
- Learning to rest, and finding the courage to act
These themes echoed a universal truth: we all face difficult seasons—but in sisterhood, we don’t have to face them alone. Statistics reinforce what this gathering proved:
- Women with strong social connections are 45% more likely to have higher emotional resilience.
- Safe, supportive communities lead to a 50% increase in self-esteem and personal growth.
- Women with close social bonds are 60% more likely to report greater happiness and satisfaction.
Words That Stay With Us
As the evening drew to a close, two resounding messages remained:
“What we believe about who we are quietly shapes every decision we make—even the ones we don’t realize we’re making.”
“Every hug, every touch, every step forward tonight reminds us—we’re not meant to carry life alone. What a gift to walk with each other.”
That gift of walking together—of pausing to check in, reflect, and reconnect—was the heartbeat of the Sister Circle Roundtable.
Continuing the Work
This evening was one night, but the impact continues. Constance’s vision, Melonie’s leadership, and the women who showed up all helped strengthen the web of sisterhood that we so desperately need. As one attendee put it, “This was exactly the reset I didn’t know I needed.”
Bring the Power of Sisterhood to Your Community
If you’re looking to create meaningful spaces of reflection, empowerment, and connection within your organization, school, workplace, or faith community, we invite you to connect with us.
To book I Choose To Win for a workshop, speaking engagement, or custom experience, please email info@ichoosetowin.org.
We’re ready to walk with you.