I just spent four days with the most amazing and inspirational women as I have ever known. Yes, I attended PWN-USA's Speak Up 2018 National Leadership Summit for Women, where for three days we not only were educated in intensive and informative work groups but we also came together in a strong bond of sisterhood and solidarity. That sisterhood and solidarity is a beautiful and powerful part of PWN’s organization. While I was at the conference a woman gave me three strings that were tied together at one end, after I got home I sat down and reflected on my experience with my sisters during the...
KatieAdsila's blog
I first arrived in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina on Thursday the 12th at 11:00 am. Not much was happening on the opening day except for Summit registration at 12:00 and the opening session and dinner at 6:30, so after registering I had plenty of time for a much needed nap, an exploration of the hotel, a walk on the beach and finally a shower before dinner. At the opening session we heard from a panel of women and one man (yes PWN welcomes men as well) who spoke about the power of meaningful involvement and "what becomes possible when the communities most impacted by an issue are defining the...
My name is Katie Adsila Willingham and I'm from a small, rural town in northwest Alabama called Tuscumbia. For all you history buffs out there, Tuscumbia is the birthplace of Helen Keller, and we're not really known for much else lol. I was diagnosed HIV+ in June of 2000 and with the help of an amazing ASO serving north Alabama I have been undetectable for 17 of those 18 years. However, regardless of my undetectable status, I have not always felt safe. I remember when I was diagnosed the look in the eyes of the doctors and nurses that said I wasn't going to make it very long. My viral load was...