I arrived to find an amazing group of women at the Positive Women's Network - Speak Up! A National Leadership Summit for Women Living with HIV. To sit in a room with 200 HIV positive women is incredibly empowering. The energy, the love and the enthusiasm is beyond words. But what I walk away feeling most is acceptance and companionship.
The women attending the Speak Up! Summit know my deepest secret and still accept me. Their acceptance is unconditional, without judgment. They encourage me and understand me. These women are just like me…they are HIV positive and remain strong. We continue as mothers, wives, and friends…all while taking on a new role as advocate. I'm here at the Speak Up! Summit to learn how to be a better advocate. I want to lead other women and give them the same energy, love and enthusiasm I'm feeling.