My name is Connie L. Johnson. I am a daughter, a sister, a niece, and a friend, who was diagnosed with AIDS in 2002. I am the oldest daughter of Gladys Belle Dean-Johnson, who was a 44 year old divorcee who died of AIDS-related illness in 1995. My work is geared specifically toward women living with HIV/AIDS who are mothers\grandmothers doing their best to maintain their health and care for the needs of those they are responsible for. My mission is to help women tell their stories, their way and use their voices to advocate for themselves and their communities. I am the author of Beyond Measure, a collection of autobiographical sketches of eight Kenyan women who are living with HIV/AIDS. And I am currently writing my second book, a memoir titled Survivor's Song. In 2009, I earned a Bachelor of Arts in Child and Family Studies from Columbia College in Columbia, SC. And in 2013, I earned a Master of Arts in Social Justice and Community Development from Loyola University Chicago. I currently reside in my hometown of Orangeburg, SC.
Why Connie wants to be part of A Girl Like Me: I would like to be a part of A Girl Like Me because I am aware that there are thousands of women who would rather suffer in silence than to confront the possibility of negative stigma and marginalization that often accompanies disclosing. I would like to offer my voice to the world on behalf of women around the globe who have yet to discover their own voices.
