October 1, 2020: Black women deserve the world. At Positive Women’s Network – USA (PWN), this is central to everything we do, from the policies we advocate for to the way we do our work. And we think it’s high time to celebrate Black women in the HIV movement loudly and proudly.

PWN will be lifting up the voice of Black women in the HIV movement throughout 2020 leading up to our first annual #CelebrateAndHonorBlackWomen Day on March 12, 2021. 

We will be asking HIV organizations to sign on and engage in activities that honor and celebrate the role of Black women in the movement, communities and in our families. 

We will be asking you all to engage in activities that 

  • Celebrate Black Women
  • Honor Black women
  • Listen to Black Women
  • Pay Black Women
  • Protect Black Women

Black women are often seen less, heard less, and valued less in the movement for social justice despite being organizers, activists. Meanwhile, they are also more likely to contract HIV, experience intimate partner violence, and forgo self-care, while working to maintain the household. We demand better.

Studies have shown that Black women are more likely to care for extended family members, thereby putting the needs of loved ones above their own needs. Black women are less likely to affirm self-care as a part of their mental well-being. Black women are often overlooked for promotions and leadership development. 

Join us in demanding better for Black women on #CelebrateAndHonorBlackWomen Day March 12, 2021.

As a national membership organization of women living with HIV, PWN’s membership base is primarily Black women throughout the South, the epicenter of the where the HIV epidemic. is still raging. Black women account for 13% of women in the U.S. yet 58% of HIV diagnoses among women. PWN commits to building the leadership of our members to be more meaningfully engaged in making decisions that impact our lives. 

PWN celebrates and honors Black women in the HIV movement, through victories and devastating losses. We invite you to join us.

Stay tuned for more information about how you can support PWN and the Black women in your life!

PWN’s Black staff members will be holding a special Facebook Live on Tuesday, October 6, at 4:30pm ET/1:30pm PT to talk about our new Celebrate and Honor Black Women in the HIV Movement initiative. Tune in!