September 30, 2020: With so much going on in our country today, it can be easy to forget that the most crucial election of our lifetime is only a little over a month away. Civil uprisings are continuing to happen in light of unaccountable police who kill Black women and men with relative impunity. The Trump administration’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic has put far more Americans in danger of contracting the virus and led to over 200,000 American deaths, with Black and Latinx people hit the hardest. 

Still, early voting in some states is already beginning. It’s against this backdrop that advocates are registering voters and commencing get-out-the-vote activities. 

We interviewed Alicia Diggs of PWN North Carolina Queens for Change about how the team stays focused and motivated in the midst of so many crises. 

Q. In the midst of a pandemic and civil uprisings, dedicated PWNers in North Carolina continue to engage the voting community. In what ways have you maintained communication with your voter lists?

A. North Carolina has maintained communication with our voter lists in the midst of a pandemic and civil uprisings by sending emails and text messages to keep them up to date on current events and notices.

Q. How has social distancing impacted your ability to organize during the pandemic? How has it impacted the advocacy work you were already doing?

A. While social distancing has had an impact on our ability to organize face-to-face, It has not stopped us. Queens for Change host online education sessions with a reach of over 400,000. We have presented on webinars about the importance of leadership among women living with HIV. 

The advocacy work we were already doing has not really been impacted by the pandemic either. We have continued sending letters and tweeting to our legislators.

Q. How do you maintain the momentum of the team during such stressful times? What activities do you include to motivate the team?

A. These times being stressful is truly an understatement, to say the least. Having momentum for the movement has truly been a challenge, keeping in mind that this pandemic and the civil uprisings have caused old traumas to resurface and new traumas to grow. 

We are doing check-ins to encourage one another and this has been a good way to keep the team motivated. The #PWNCares Sister Circle virtual support group has been an opportunity for team members to join in on virtual activities which also allows time for sisters to bond. It isn’t the same as meeting in person, but it does give us a chance to get our minds off of the traumas that everyday life can bring.

Q. How has social media been effective in keeping your voter base engaged?

A. Having access to social media platforms has been pretty effective in keeping our voter base engaged. Sharing posts, tweeting posts, tagging posts, and doing live videos have been great ways to reach the voting community.

Q. What is next for PWN North Carolina?

A. The next step for PWN North Carolina is to continue to mobilize our communities, collaborate with allies, build relationships with other advocates, and support one another in the fight to stop the stigma, the violence, and injustices that people living with HIV and other under-served communities have had to face for years. PWN NC will stand stronger to be the change we want to see in our state!