The Women of BTAN: Who Inspires You?
The women who give their time, energy, creativity and brilliance to Black Treatment Advocates Network (BTAN) chapters across the nation inspire us all. But who inspires these women? Who are the women who have shaped these sisters into the exceptional individuals they are today? We talked to some of our BTAN leaders to find out.
Cheryl R. Davis: BTAN Richmond-Petersburg, Va.
Lindsay Bryant is a founding member of BTAN Richmond-Petersburg, and she was one of the first African American HIV University Fellows from Richmond. Her commitment to BTAN and the people of Richmond-Petersburg is unwavering. She has stood strong with and for BTAN in good times and during challenging times. I admire her diplomacy, leadership skills and how she sticks with projects to the end—consistently trying to get others involved in the planning and implementation. Lindsay is strong, graceful, confident and giving. She is definitely the reason our chapter is still here!
D'Metris Welters: BTAN Atlanta
My mother, Denise Welters, is the epitome of elegance and excellence. She instilled in me not only hard work and independence but resourcefulness and strength. She selflessly provided for my sister and me, making sure we became women who contributed to the advancement of the world we lived, worked and played in.
Hannah Stutts: BTAN Charlotte, N.C.
When I sit at my cubicle, I'm surrounded by artwork. I need it to inspire me. The artist whose work I have the most of is Louise Bourgeois. She was a feminist whose work often focused on bodies, sex and femininity. She passed away at 98 in 2010, but she continues to inspire me. Louise worked well into her 90s, not giving up her feisty spirit or creative edge at any point. She was never afraid to push boundaries, and her work was thoughtful, beautiful and provocative. Having her work around me every day gives me the encouragement to push the boundaries in my own life and continue to strive to bring beautiful, thoughtful and provocative energy into my work.
Karen Bennet: BTAN Louisiana
My mother, Patricia Green, is such an inspiration to me. Just seeing how hard she worked to take care of her family inspires me to do the same for my kids. My father was disabled, and she always made him feel as if he was still the man of our house. My mother was a great role model, and I'm blessed to have her as a mother.
Leisha McKinley-Beach: Black AIDS Institute Consultant
Brandi Williams currently serves as a sales representative for OraSure Technologies [which created the first over-the-counter home HIV testing kit]. Before she was known for her work nationally, she was a prevention consultant with the Florida Department of Health. During her tenure in Florida, she trained hundreds of health department and community-agency staff on HIV testing and the use of the various testing technologies. Brandi helped create one of Florida's most successful Black women's initiatives: Sistas Organizing to Survive.
When I first moved to Georgia, I knew that in order to create a successful program, I needed to have an effective HIV testing program. Brandi left Florida and came to Georgia to help me build an HIV prevention infrastructure that she would later run as she became one of the most successful prevention directors in Georgia. What I love most about Brandi is her ability to speak her mind and be frank; you know it comes from a place of love. For me, Brandi has been a respected colleague, mentor and, more importantly, a sister that I look up to and admire. I'm honored to call her one of my sheroes.
Sharon DeCuir: BTAN Louisiana
Pat Kelly of South Carolina, who I work with at Positive Women's Network (PWN) USA, challenges me to be the best that I can be and do the best that I can do. Because of her, I can walk away from my work knowing that I gave my all and be proud of what I have accomplished. There are actually many inspiring women who have touched my life. Linda Scruggs of Red Ribbon Consulting Group and Vanessa Johnson—also of Red Ribbon, and the trainer and director of PWN-USA—educated me as a woman living with HIV about how to take a stand in advocacy and speak up not only for myself but also for the many people who can't stand for themselves at the moment.
Bloncile Blackwell: BTAN Melbourne, Fla.
Gloria Glover Gowins was my mother and my greatest inspiration. She loved people no matter what their circumstances were, and everyone loved her. She was the matriarch of our family and we truly miss her.
As told to LaShieka Hunter, a freelance writer and editor based on Long Island, N.Y.