Our February 2019 Shero of the Month is Katie Willingham of Tuscumbia, Alabama. Jennie Smith-Camejo, Communications Director for Positive Women’s Network-USA, had this to say: “Watching Katie come out of her shell and really hold her own as a fierce advocate over the past couple of years has been immensely satisfying. Though she often comes across quiet and shy, she is incredibly smart, talented, and full of ideas. She’s a gifted writer and an all-around wonderful human being who is really pushing the envelope in Alabama to bring about change, and pushing herself out of her comfort zone to make that happen. PWN is proud to work with her as a state lead, spokesperson, and graduated policy fellow.”
Katie really jumped into advocacy feet first after leaving the SPEAK UP! Summit in 2016 at Fort Walton Beach, Florida in 2016. She explained, “Getting into advocacy changed my sense of self worth, and I’m grateful for that. It has pulled me out of my shell of self isolation and strengthened me by challenging every part of me.”
Katie also said not all of the reasons she decided to advocate for people living with HIV were selfless. Katie recalled, “I knew that ignorance and stigma were still major problems, as though the 80’s never left, and I wanted to help change that to make life better for others than what I had been through. I wanted to help my ASO (which saved my life) fight for funding to continue their work, and I wanted to help those living with HIV or newly diagnosed to have hope and not live in fear as I did for so long. But, I also felt a strong need to have purpose in my own life, I felt worthless as I waited to die and I knew I didn’t want to die until I could live with myself.”
Katie began advocating after coming out as trans in her personal life. She suffered the separation from her family due to her transition and said, “I remember going through my divorce as I was going through the Policy Fellowship. I don’t think I would have made it through otherwise, and I don’t just mean the distraction the Fellowship offered me that I desperately needed at the moment, but it was the sisterhood that was really incredible. That sisterhood has supported me, encouraged me, empowered me, and cared for me; my sisters are my balance.”
Though the work can be overwhelming and hardly presents time to reflect on achievements, Katie said, “I came into advocacy expecting it to be a thankless endeavor, something done behind the scenes, but then I‘ve had people thank me for writing something or doing something, and there’s nothing more humbling than to have helped people and made an impact on their lives.”
When asked what advice she would give to others who want to advocate, she said, “DO IT!!! If you have an inclination to give of your time, your heart, your commitment, then you are greatly needed and you will find no greater inner reward than to help others. But remember not to skimp on self care: you have to take care of yourself too in order to help others. Build a network of friends and allies who support you, have faith and patience in yourself, and know that YOU CAN DO THIS!!”
Join us in congratulating Katie for being the kind of persistent advocate that is needed in this movement.