Our May 2021 Shero of the Month is Masonia Traylor of Atlanta, Georgia. PWN National Field Organizer Evany Turk said, “Masonia is a thoughtful queen who leads with her heart. She is a leader who listens to understand. She moves throughout the community with integrity and respect and can always ground you at the moment with the softness of her voice. I enjoy working with Masonia. She’s a great leader.”
First and foremost, Masonia is a mother. Just last month, she was a guest panelist for the Mother’s Day Our Way event PWN co-hosted with The Well Project and shared her insights and experience raising kids who respond to stigma. The most rewarding things about being a mom for her are “having unconditional love to give and receive and to witness, as well as be a part of, the growth of another human being.” She witnessed that growth when she shared her status with her children.
When asked how that altered her relationship or responsibility as a parent, Masonia said her goal was to have her children be more compassionate and less judgmental. “It pushed me to face more uncomfortable yet necessary conversations about sex, sexuality, condoms, puberty, and consent before age 11. I know that telling them sooner helped prepare them for real-life situations and choices. It allowed me to give them tools to be equipped for early decision-making and the tested influence amongst their peers.”
Masonia is one of the most sought-after HIV advocates in the movement and also facilitates groups for women living with HIV.
“The goal [of the groups] is to reduce the internal stigma. Society has created this nasty, negative narrative that people living with HIV no longer deserve sex, love, childbirth, breastfeeding, or to live without feeling burdened or shamed by others. Through hearing and seeing a reflection of themselves and simply having representation, culturally they won’t feel alone,” she explained.
Masonia’s advocacy extends beyond facilitating groups: She also sits on several coalitions or boards. She is especially proud of the work of two groups, The Well Project and the Sustain Advocacy Group at the University of Texas, Houston.
“Both organizations model, organize, and prioritize the implementation of trauma-informed care. They do an amazing job ensuring opportunities are presented to include Black people living with HIV. They are super strong allies and their principles around racial justice stand firm. They have always ensured me as well as others that our voices will be more than heard. Our voices will be put into action.”
On a personal level, Masonia advocates for a better health care system for women living with HIV. Navigating the health care system has been very emotional for Masonia. She said, “It has been horrific and the most disheartening part of my HIV journey. I transitioned from private to public health care, and I can honestly say it’s been disappointing and full of repeated trauma. It would make me question how much I’ve accepted my diagnosis over the years. It made me realize that the nurturing and compassion women are expected to constantly give has been lacking consistency from the health care system that women need desperately.”
To women with HIV who are living in isolation, Masonia says, “You don’t have to do this alone! We love you and you can, you will, you MUST get through this!”