#PWNVotes In The Midterms: We Made Sure Everyone Could Vote

Women living with HIV and our accomplices sent a loud message across the country yesterday: We will not allow anyone to stop the power of our vote. As a c3 organization, we did not weigh in on how to vote. All we cared about was educating people so that they could make the best choices for themselves and their families. 

Our work didn’t come without its challenges: stigma, ragebaiters, inaccessibility, and poll obstructions and relocations. We refused to give in and continued our work—collaborating with partners to call out harm, creating solutions that worked for us, educating folks about their rights, and feeding our neighbors regardless of how they voted. 

That is how women living with HIV have created solutions and built power since day one. By showing up for and taking care of each other, especially in the face of oppression. By ensuring our sisters and siblings have what they need. By fighting not just for ourselves, but for each other. We are all in this together, and we refuse to leave anyone behind. The path to liberation requires sisterhood, solidarity, and action—and that defines who we are at PWN.  

#PWNVotes, our approach to building long-term political power, was fundamental to the strength and impact of our Texas and Pennsylvania campaigns. PWN played a major role locally in protecting and turning out the vote, empowering leaders, and deepening community relationships.

Relationships are the foundation of what made over 7,000 conversations across north Houston possible. Being trusted messengers in Pennsylvania is what made it possible for us to talk with nearly 2,000 voters in north Philadelphia. 

We are beyond proud and appreciative of our campaign team, who are led by members like Cookie, Jeanette, Stephanie, and Kenya in Pennsylvania, and Tana, Isis, Richon, and Deborah in Texas. A huge thank you to all of our national staff, canvassers, phonebankers, organizers, and volunteers! 

Now that the midterms are over, the first thing to do is rest and recharge. As PWN knows: rest is resistance, joy is radical, and both are necessary. We encourage you to take this time to nourish your body and mind, celebrate your hard work and commitment, and stay connected with your community. 

Please also take a moment to register for our upcoming webinar, “New Congress, who dis? Understanding how power has shifted after the election.” Join us on Mon, 11/16/26 at 2pm ET/1pm CT/12pm MT/11am PT as we dig into what the election results and seismic shake up of Congressional power mean for people living with HIV in the U.S. and abroad.

The fight isn’t over yet—we must maintain momentum and vigilance as we enter this transitional period. PWN remains steadfast in our mission to build a liberated future for all trans and cis women, gender-diverse, and trans people living with HIV, and we hope you will join us. 

Stay tuned for a full recap next week!