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A sisterhood of empowerment Sisters in Spirit nurtures members with inspiration, fellowship Five years ago, Jenise Fonville Noels wanted to do something special for her birthday: invite some friends over from work for a birthday bash and a sister friend gathering. It was the beginning of a journey for the 33 year old. "When I started the group it was so people could connect with people they considered a sister friend," Fonville Noels said. "We may not be your sister by blood, but you can consider us your sister in spirit." Today she is the founder of Sisters in Spirit, an Upper Marlboro based group of women who bake or prepare a casserole dish and retreat to the haven of the lower level of Fonville Noels' Meadowbrook townhouse for a monthly fellowship meeting. "I wanted to join like minded people and hook them together to form sisterhood bonds," Fonville Noels said. Saturday at Fonville Noels' home. The guest speaker will be Rhonda Davis Smith, owner of Champion Communications. Smith will discuss the "12 Laws of Communication." Anyone who would like to join the support group can call Fonville Noels. "The meetings are customarily small and cozy," Fonville Noels said. "We seek women who are interested in being empowered or who are able to empower us." As members Brownlyn Brown and Nichelle Brown sit on a sofa talking about what they have gained from the group, the women joke like long time girlfriends at an all girls sleepover. Brownlyn Brown of Accokeek and Nichelle Brown of Oxon Hill are two of eight women who attend the monthly meetings. The two women are not related. Members hail from Montgomery, Prince George's and Fairfax counties. In the brochures that members mail is the following quote from Fonville Noels: "We uplift and encourage members, guests and all people, so that all may reach their highest potential . we strive for positive change . and are abundantly passionate in these endeavors." She encourages members to "invite a sister friend" to each meeting. Each meeting is reminiscent of an Oprah inspired support group, eight women meeting to offer encouragement and support to each other over a potluck meal. Each month, Brownlyn Brown takes a 45 minute journey from her home in Accokeek to Upper Marlboro, but the drive has not deterred her from attending monthly meetings. She has been in the group for five years. Brownlyn Brown credits the support she receives from the group for encouraging her to quit a dead end job for one that is more challenging. Her previous office job did not include customer service interaction, and her new job as a help desk analyst allows her to troubleshoot and assist customers directly. "I've changed," she said. "I have learned that I should do what I want to do." She plans to work toward her master's degree, which is something she said she would not have had the courage to do five years ago. Nichelle Brown looks forward to similar positive life changes. She has been attending the meetings for about a year. Fonville Noels started the group to encourage other women and provide a group to network, but the scope of the group has changed. "I figure, invite people who will benefit from being here," Fonville Noels said. As her 4 year old daughter climbs across her lap, Fonville Noels recalls the first meetings she sponsored in her Silver Spring apartment. Initially, the group allowed the women to network and share ideas, but the focus soon changed. The women attending the group began talking about issues they faced in their everyday life. "It's been interesting," Nichelle Brown said. She has been attending the group for about a year. "It's a comfortable environment." Fonville Noels started the group with five women, who she works with at the Department of Energy, and over the years attendance has fluctuated, but members like Brownlyn Brown have remained dedicated to the group because of the nourishment the members get from the group interaction. As a mother of two, Fonville Noels understands that some people may not have a babysitter, so members are encouraged to bring the children, who can play with one another other or with video games.