2008 International AIDS Conference

Reception Honors Congresswoman Barbara Lee

By LaGloria Wheatfall

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MEXICO CITY -- The Black AIDS Institute hosted a reception honoring Congresswoman Barbara Lee on Wednesday night at the Marquis Reforma, The Ballroom in Mexico City. Lee was honored for her consistent and pro-active service on HIV/AIDS legislation in America.

Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.) leadership with HIV/AIDS:

• PEPFAR provides billions of dollars to prevent new HIV infections.

• Legislation contributed a total of 1.7 million people recieving antiretroviral therapy.

• Guest speaker at sessions for the XVII International HIV/AIDS Conference.

• Leadership in bridging the gap between the global and domestic fight for HIV/AIDS.

In attendance, the founder and CEO of The Balm in Gilead, Pernessa C. Seele gave a heartfelt benediction. "...my favorite part of church is the benediction. We need to remember to wake up a fresh as we go forward in this fight for HIV/AIDS."

Others attendees included founder and CEO of the Black AIDS institute, Phill Wilson. Wilson said, "There have been very few members of congress who have been able to advocate for the very real need to take a leadership role on the global front."

Co-sponsor and attendee Deborah Frazier-Howze , founder of the National Black Leadership Commission on AIDS (NBLCA) and long-time friend of Lee, and newly appointed NBLCA President C. Virginia Fields, former Manhattan Borough president.

The reception also featured a performance by actress and AIDS activist Sheryl Lee Ralph. Her captivating performance addressed the stigma and epidemic of HIV/AIDS by re-acting stories from real-life encounters from individuals living with HIV/AIDS.

The night ended with Councilwoman Barbara Lee acceptance speech and reiterating the importance in the fight to end HIV/AIDS.

"This is about life and death for millions of people, so you have to be committed."