Our July 2019 Shero of the Month is Antoinette Jones of Atlanta, Georgia. Jill Heaviside, SisterLove, Inc If/When/How Law & Policy Fellow said, “Antoinette is a force! She is a fierce advocate for both policy reform and intergenerational leadership within HIV advocacy spaces. It’s been incredible to watch Antoinette find and grow into her voice. I am so proud to work with and learn from her and can’t wait to see all the incredible things she’ll accomplish.”

Antoinette has been front and center in advocating against the abortion bans sweeping the nation, particularly in Georgia. When she was not able to join the Facebook live with Evany Turk, PWN-USA Membership Engagement Coordinator, she wanted to let Georgians know that “the 6-week abortion ban does not go into effect until 2020! People who are pregnant are still able to have and access abortions until then! The 6-week abortion ban disproportionately affects people of color for many reasons.” She went on to provide those reasons:

1. Often many people do not find out they are pregnant until 6 weeks. Deciding to terminate or keep a pregnancy should not be made so rapidly. The forced decision takes away the right to decide from the carrier and forces them to keep the pregnancy regardless of situation or circumstance.

2. To have a confirmatory test done at many doctor offices, they ask that you come at least 8 weeks after your missed period. If my provider insists that I can not have a confirmatory sonogram test done until 8 weeks, then the assumption is I would face criminal charges if I make my decision after the doctor’s appointment.

3. The abortion ban is not just a cis-sue! Everyone of all identities is affected by this ban and should see that it is a reverse in history. Stripping reproductive justice advocates of the rights they have fought for for years.

When asked how her work ties into the work that SisterLove, Inc. does involving reproductive justice, she said, “My HIV advocacy ties into the work we do at SisterLove around human rights and reproductive justice because the challenges around my HIV diagnosis are broader than just living with HIV.” Antoinette has faced challenges around housing, healthcare, stigma, and discrimination. About SisterLove, Inc. she said, “I fell into the work because SisterLove, Inc. is not just doing HIV specific work or RJ specific work, they are intertwining the two and focusing their efforts on helping people understand why they are both related.”

Antoinette is a current PWN-USA Policy Fellow and said, ” I am thankful for PWN’s efforts to build positive women through education and development. They allow us to learn about all policy issues and equip us with the tools to make changes in our state. My plans for the future is to use what I learn to develop more advocates in my state as well as encourage them to join PWN.”

In closing, Antoinette said, “My goal is to build a tribe of women living with HIV who are fighting for the rights we deserve and can build up other tribe members in their community.”

Congratulations Antoinette!