PWN-USA Announces the Next Chapter in our Development as an Independent Organization

Feb. 6, 2013 Dear community, Inspired by global networks of women living with HIV and supported by leaders in the United States, Positive Women’s Network (PWN) was officially founded by 28 diverse women living with HIV in June of 2008.  Its purpose was to create a unified voice and building collective power for HIV-positive women across the United States. When PWN was founded it was with the understanding and goal that one day it would transition from WORLD, an organization which provided a structural umbrella for U.S. Positive Women’s Network to establish itself as an independent organization, in its own right. That day has come. PWN founding members, Steering Committee members, Advisory Group members and our regional leaders have decided to embark on a new path, a fresh start, in order to fulfill our original mission, advance HIV-positive women’s autonomy, and strengthen our accountability to our national constituency. Our fresh start includes a new name, logo and website, and the same inspiration and vision that has always guided us. Effective immediately, our name is Positive Women’s Network of the United States of America (PWN-USA).

As PWN-USA, we will continue to represent and advocate for women living with HIV in the United States and remain a part of the national and global People Living with HIV (PLHIV) movement.   While we have collectively accomplished much over the last several years, we hold the same values and mission that inspired us to join forces on behalf of women living with HIV in 2008. PWN’s leadership remains privileged to serve, lead and represent HIV-positive women in the U.S. We rely on the collective strength of our members and allies to support us as we start a new chapter in the development of PWN-USA.  We will be issuing a call for all HIV-positive women across the nation to provide input on our new logo, the development of our new PWN-USA website and our 2013-2014 strategic planning process. We encourage you to join us. We can be reached at [email protected]. Thank you in advance for your continued support, guidance, and mentorship. In sisterhood and solidarity, PWN-USA leadership Dawn Averitt Dee Borrego Gina Brown Barb Cardell Sharon Decuir Yolanda Diaz Cathy Elliott Jane P. Fowler Kat Griffith Andrea L’amour Harrington Margot Isaacs Vanessa Johnson Loren Jones Pat Kelly Naina Khanna Barbara Marcotte Pat Migliore LaTrischa Miles Sonia Rastogi Linda H. Scruggs Nicole Seguin Waheedah Shabazz-El Teresa Sullivan Evany Turk Juanita Williams