PWN Louisiana (PWN LA) is honored to be part of PWN as an official affiliated organization. We mean business and we know that nothing about us without us is for us. PWN will give us the support, tools, and mentorship to make advocacy for women in the state of Louisiana a reality.
Millicent Foster, Co-Chair
Sarah Yvonne Jackson was diagnosed with HIV in 2009 and it changed her life. She was confused, angry, distraught, and disappointed. She thought about all that God had brought her through, and she said, “I can handle this.” By getting into an early intervention clinic, she learned about HIV. Her health educator guided her on medication adherence. She informed her family of her diagnosis almost immediately by calling together a “family meeting.” She felt an outpouring of love and support. Years later, she is an activist after being introduced to PWN-USA in 2014.
Meta Smith, Co-Chair
Meta is a daughter, sister, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, an amazing wife, and a Black female living with HIV. Meta is a native of Baton Rouge, LA, and is employed for HAART HIV/AIDS Alliance for Region 2 as the Assistant Director of Prevention in Baton Rouge. She is a member of Positive Women’s Network-USA and a co-chair for PWN-USA Louisiana. She is also the Baton Rouge Stigma Index Project Coordinator. She is actively involved in helping people living with HIV to be empowered to advocate for themselves, but while they are making that transition, she is glad to be their voice. Meta’s husband is by far her biggest cheerleader. She is the mother of three adult children who is running a close second to support her.