Mary Robinson

Mary Robinson is the first woman President of Ireland (1990-1997) and more recently United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (1997-2002). Now based in New York, Mary Robinson is currently the founder and President of Realizing Rights:The Ethical Globalization Initiative, a not for profit organisation whose mission is to make human rights the compass which charts a course for globalization that is fair, just and benefits all.

Mary Robinson is the Honorary Patron of the International Community of Women Living with HIV and AIDS (ICW) and chair of the Fund for Global Human Rights.

Dawn Averitt

Dawn Averitt Bridge was diagnosed with HIV in 1988 at age 19 and since then has become one of the United State’s most prominent HIV and AIDS advocates as well as an accomplished speaker and published writer on women’s health issues. Dawn is the founder of The Well Project, a non-profit organization whose mission is to change the course of the HIV and AIDS pandemic through a comprehensive focus on treatment and prevention for women.

Irina Bourshek

Irina Borushek was born and raised in Odessa, the southern region of Ukraine. After years of opiate dependence Irina joined rehabilitation center “Steps” where she started to work as a volunteer counsellor and in two years became a director of the center, during this time she was diagnosed HIV-positive. Irina then joined a small group of activists, together they founded the All-Ukrainian Network of People Living with HIV.

Lynde Francis

Lynde Francis is the founded of The Centre, a community based organisation in Zimbabwe run by and for People Living with HIV (PLWH). Lynde is the Southern African regional representative for the International Community of Women living with HIV (ICW). She is also one of the founders of the Pan African Treatment Activists movement (PATAM). She serves on the board of Women and AIDS Support Network (WASN), Cedas Trust, Zimbabwe Activists on HIV and AIDS (ZAHA) and is a member of the regional reference group for the ecumenical HIV and AIDS initiative in Africa (EHEIA). Lynde is part of the Country Coordinating mechanism for Zimbabwe and a founder member of the Zimbabwe National Network of People Living with HIV.

Martha Judith Naigwe

Martha Naigwe, 21 year old Ugandan activist, was born HIV positive and advocates for universal access to treatment and is often invited to speaker to young people, teachers and groups that work with youth on prevention, stigma and HIV treatment and care.

Gcebile Ndlovu

Gcebile Ndlovu, a qualified surgical nurse and midwife, worked with the United Nations Programme on HIV and AIDS in Swaziland as the National Programme Officer. Her work involved being a link between the UN, Civil Society and people living with HIV. While with the UN she led the HIV and AIDS workplace programme, “We Care”. Gcebile worked for many years with the Swaziland Hospice caring for patients dying of AIDS related conditions and now teaches health care providers and community members the art of caring for the terminally ill. She is the ICW Regional coordinator for Southern Africa.

Kousalya Perisasamy

Kousalya Periasamy got married in 1995 at the age of 21, and within months she was diagnosed HIV-positive. Kousalya began speaking about her experience and educating other girls in her hometown of Namakkal, in the state of Tamil Nadu, where HIV prevalence among women attending pre-natal care clinics has reached 6.5 percent.

Kousalya is the founder of Positive Women Network of South India (PWN+), the first support organization for women living with HIV in south India.

Stephanie

Stephanie, 15 years old Australia, begun public speaking at 13 years old advocating for issues around HIV and AIDS. Born HIV positive, Stephanie developed a support network for affected teens from all over Australia. She is also a member of Positive Women (Victoria) and People Living with HIV Speakers Bureau (Victoria).