Dear Friend, Far too often, women living with HIV are talked about, instead of talked to, at the tables where decisions are made about our lives. PWN-USA’s mission is to shift that balance: to prepare and involve all women living with HIV, in all our diversity, including gender identity and sexual expression, to be at those decision-making tables. This fall, we’ll take a huge step towards living that mission by hosting a national leadership summit for women with HIV. Can you help us take this step? woman under a sign reading "welcome womyn leaders"In March 2012, Positive Women’s Network – USA held our first-ever Summit to build advocacy skills and leadership capacity among 50 women living with HIV from the U.S. South. Following the Summit, participants reported they were better prepared to engage in policy discussions about topics ranging from HIV criminalization to Affordable Care Act implementation.  Over a third of Summit attendees went on to attend the International AIDS Conference in Washington, D.C. For most, it was their first-ever International AIDS Conference. This year, Positive Women’s Network – USA (PWN-USA) is building on that success.  We are thrilled to announce SPEAK UP! A National Summit for Women Living with HIV! 200 women living with HIV from across the United States will gather in Fort Walton Beach, FL, from September 17-19, 2014. We invite you to help make this historic event a reality. Positive Women’s Network – USA believes that investing in our own leadership is important, and that building advocacy capacity in our communities is critical to achieving policies that uphold women’s rights. Participants will cover and arrange their own travel expenses to the Summit; but we are committed to making the Summit accessible to women, regardless of income level. Can you take part in expanding the leadership circle of women living with HIV? pwn-usa leaders joyfully toting event supplies$60,000 is what it will take to provide food, lodging, and the best quality content for 200 women with HIV at the Summit. Today, we are calling on members, supporters, allies and change-makers like you to join us in raising part of that goal: $10,000 in individual donations by Mother’s Day! Your donation toward that goal will be doubled through a matching grant!  During the Summit, women living with HIV will build leadership skills, discuss timely policy, legal and research trends relevant to women’s lives, and strategize to support organizing and advocacy at a federal and state level. Read on to find out how you can support the small parts that comprise this huge vision — and remember, your gift will be doubled. We’ll train advocates in community organizing, maximizing media opportunities, understanding data and surveillance, using a human rights analysis, research advocacy, advocating for Medicaid expansion, ending HIV criminalization, talking to legislators, and more! Each participant will receive valuable materials to add to her advocacy library to support her work. hand-drawn workshop learning tools$20 secures that packet of materials for one attendee $40 funds a participant’s meals for one day of the Summit $75 supports a registration scholarship for one leader $150 pays for a leader’s lodging for the entire duration of the Summit $500 helps us provide childcare, so that attendees with young families can be at the table $750 will support a day’s audiovisual costs, to make Speak Up! A National Summit for Women Living with HIV a rich multimedia learning experience Giving any of the amounts above is a significant contribution to women’s leadership! Show your love for women with HIV by taking a bold step with us toward our goal: $10,000 in matched donations by PWN-USA’s birthday, June 17!  Sponsorships are also available.  Sponsors will be acknowledged on program materials and on PWN-USA’s website — and these gifts will also be doubled! Details follow: $5,000 Sister Circle
  • Name and logo will be included in Summit program
  • Name and logo will be included on Summit webpage
  • Will be acknowledged during Summit
  • Opportunity to share materials on a table or in resources folder
  • Will be acknowledged in Summit report
$2,500 Solidarity Circle
  • Name and logo will be included in Summit program
  • Name and logo will be included on Summit webpage
  • Opportunity to share materials on a table or in resources folder
$1,000 Ally Circle
  • Name will be included on Summit webpage
  • Opportunity to share materials on a table or in resources folder
Invest in women leaders living with HIV! Donate online or by mail. Click this link to donate online toward our matching goal; select the amount you want to donate, and then select “Support for National Summit” from the drop-down menu. To donate by mail, make checks payable to Movement Strategy Center (memo line: PWN-USA) and send them directly to:

Positive Women’s Network – USA c/o Movement Strategy Center 436 14th Street, 5th Floor Oakland, CA 94612

Thank you for your support!leaders_group In Sisterhood and Solidarity, Positive Women’s Network – USA