July 30, 2019:  

Today, we are honoring a true shero.

Waheedah Shabazz-El, founding member of Positive Women’s Network – USA (PWN) and our first-ever organizing director, is retiring from her role with PWN to move on to the next phase in her activist journey. As PWN’s executive director, I can tell you that we would not be the organization we are today without Waheedah. Like many, I have been inspired by and have learned from Waheedah. Her integrity, generosity, and pursuit of justice have given me strength, courage, and determination. I am personally so honored to have worked with and learned from her.

Eleven years ago, Waheedah helped found PWN, then served on the board of directors until she joined the staff as our first organizing director in 2013. She created our very first chapter in Philadelphia, and then went on to build a national organizing model led by and for our constituency – women and folks of trans experience living with HIV. A fierce, powerful advocate and role model, Waheedah has inspired, mentored, and nurtured thousands of people living with HIV and allies to be better through the high standards she models for all of us. Waheedah came to PWN with a wealth of skills and knowledge from her early days of HIV activism in ACT UP/Philly; an endless supply of entertaining stories; an incisive instinct for direct action; and a deep well of love for her community.

And if you know Waheedah, then you already know she is deeply committed to sustainability and accountability – so her work and legacy will live on. Here’s just a short list:

  • Founding member Waheedah Shabazz-El

    Help found the HIV Prevention Justice Alliance? CHECK.
  • Create PWN chapters in six states? DONE.
  • Make banners from hotel bedsheets in a church parking lot? UM, YEAH.
  • Visit President Obama’s White House? CHECK.
  • Shut down a CDC conference? CHECK.
  • Deliver a closing plenary at the XVIII International AIDS Conference? NO PROBLEM.
  • Had us laughing so hard we can’t eat? TOO MANY TIMES TO MENTION.

Waheedah’s last official day as PWN’s organizing director will be Wednesday, July 31. But don’t expect this to be the last time you will see her! (Hint: USCA 2019). We know you want to honor her too, so we’re inviting the entire community to join us in our final celebration of Waheedah. We are declaring July 31 the official Waheedah Day! This is your chance to flood social media with pictures, stories, Waheedah quotes and any other well wishes you have for her. Let’s show Waheedah and the world how much we value her contribution to the HIV community and how much she means to us, using the hashtag #TheLegendWaheedah.

The entire PWN team is so thankful for the opportunity to work and play with Waheedah. We wish her great joy as she moves on to retirement. 

With love, sisterhood, solidarity!

Naina + the PWN Team: Anand, Barb, Breanna, Evany, Jennie, Kelly, Tiommi, Venita