Leading with Love and Legacy: The Wisdom and Community of Lucia Soraya DosSantos

Olivia Bauwens
By Olivia Bauwens

“Exist to the fullness of who you are, show up in the fullness of you, and that is leading.” 

Lucia Soraya DosSantos' earliest home was one of profound love and care, beginning in her mother’s womb and continuing through the dedication and commitment of her father. She reflects that, to this day, "What is viscerally in me, in my body, in my mind, and in my memory is love." Following the loss of her mother during childbirth, Soraya was raised by her grandmother in the close-knit Village of Txada Igreja, Picos, Cabo Verde. It was here, within the embrace of her village that Soraya first understood the truth behind the saying, "It takes a village to nurture." This formative experience instilled in her a lifelong understanding of the importance of knowing who you are, whoseyou are, and where you come from.


Recognizing one's roots and lineage plays a crucial role in the development of wisdom, a term that Soraya uses intentionally when describing  herself and others. She believes that throughout life, there are key transformative moments that shape a person’s journey. To Soraya, being wise means honoring one's own experiences and the collective experiences of one’s ancestors and community. Therefore this wisdom is not merely personal; it is enriched by the imprints of the people who came before, shaping how one navigates the world and understands their place within it.

Soraya's deep connection to her lineage, bloodline, and wisdom is evident in her work with Sacred Birthing Village, where she nurtures the most sacred aspect of life- those who give birth and bring new life into the world. Rooted in New Bedford, a city rich in diverse history and community, this maternal restorative village and birth sanctuary aims to restore agency, sovereignty, and uplift pregnant and birthing individuals. Through a profound commitment to witness and support individuals during childbirth, the organization fosters liberation and restoration. In this sacred space, a mother "gives life and gives light to the baby, but also gives life and gives light to themselves, to the family, and also the entire community.” 

A central mission of Sacred Birthing Village is to restore the strength of community by "remembering, reclaiming, reviving, and restoring" indigenous practices of collective care and support. Soraya understands that while it takes a village to raise a child, it equally takes a village to nurture a family as they prepare to give and sustain life. This vision is embodied in the Sister Friend Program, a peer-led mentorship initiative where a wise community volunteer, referred to as a “Sister Friend”, supports a pregnant individual and their family throughout the childbirth journey. The program emphasizes shared responsibility, with both the mentor and the expectant mother nurturing each other through the process. In this reciprocal relationship, the Sister Friend not only offers support but also embarks on a personal journey of self-discovery and healing, learning more about herself as she walks alongside her “little sister” through the experience. Each individual who passes through the Village carries with them a soul bringing light into the world, further strengthening the interconnectedness of life within the community.

In December 2024, Soraya was awarded the Vital Village Network’s Excellence in Mentorship Award at the Unsung Hero Celebration. When reflecting on mentorship, Soraya offers a more nuanced understanding rooted in Cape Verdean Creole, where mentorship extends beyond guidance and involves imprinting, both leaving an imprint on others and being imprinted upon by them. Throughout her life, Soraya has been fortunate to receive mentorship from a diverse range of individuals, starting with her family, particularly her siblings, and extending to professors, bosses, the Sisters at SBV who are some of her greatest teachers,  and, more recently, her divine spiritual Queen Mother, Nickey Nesbeth, who has offered prayers for Soraya, her family, and her journey. These "amazing, phenomenal people" have shaped Soraya’s path, and she carries their teachings with her, reflecting them in her interactions with others. Grateful for the mentors who have helped her reach where she is today, Soraya is humbled by the opportunity to now serve as a mentor herself.

While Soraya finds many aspects of her work fulfilling, it’s clear that what brings her the most joy is being with the families she serves. Though communal care often requires hard work and dedication, it is the people that make the experience rewarding and healing. Soraya takes great joy in realizing that families don’t need to be "saved"; instead, they show up fully capable of caring for themselves and expressing their authentic selves. By taking the time to understand and listen to the families’ stories and experiences, Soraya has found her true calling in the “trenches,” where she feels most at home. She recognizes that her approach to leadership, showing up at the personal, grassroots level, contrasts with conventional notions of what a leader should be, but she wouldn’t have it any other way. Her goal is to be a “true, wise village woman.”

When asked for advice on making a positive impact and becoming a community leader, after reflecting on her own journey, Soraya believes leadership is about showing up with full authenticity and consistently being true to oneself. She emphasizes that leadership is not something one claims for themselves; rather, it is earned through action, dedication, and alignment with one’s purpose. As you draw closer to your passion, growth occurs, and the recognition of leadership naturally follows. The best thing a person can do is to take the first step and “just do it.”


To connect with Soraya and the Sacred Birthing Village:

Posted In: Unsung Hero Blog Series