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2004
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Dear Sisters ... a letter from
the president of
Sisters for Life
Dear Sisters,
Here we are after another year on the front lines of the battle to care for the children left behind as a result of AIDS, war, and poverty. We are blessed as so many of our Sisters continue to suffer unimaginably. Some have thrived while others have barely survived, taking it one day at a time since our last conference.
Our hearts break for our sisters, brothers, and their children, who have paid the ultimate price, made the ultimate sacrifice, fought the good fight, and inhaled their last breaths, surrendering and falling victim to the deadliest enemy that our people have ever faced. Leaving behind millions of innocent children. Children whose faces mirror our own. Children, who are alone, orphaned and void of hope. Precious children, many of whom are living, and dying, in the streets written off, seemingly with ease as simple causalities of war by the greater society.
UN Secretary Kofi A. Annan defined AIDS in Africa as having a “Woman’s Face.” Today, we can say that AIDS globally has the face of a woman of a Black woman, a woman of color, a woman of African descent. Over sixty-five percent of the new infections among women in America are women of African-descent, categorized as African-American women, many of whom are professional women. The majority of these infections are a result of heterosexual transmission.
Therefore, it is not surprising that Black families in Africa, the Caribbean, and in Black America are eroding, communities are falling apart, families are starving, social networks and support mechanisms are faltering and the burden of AIDS continue to fall on the backs of Black women and their children. We are overwhelmed and under attack from so many angles. Many of us caring for sick dying husbands, children, relatives and friends while burying the dead and taking in as many orphans as possible little or no support. We are fighting for our lives. And we lack the economic capacity to care for the millions of orphans left behind.
At this years conference, "Strengthening Our Economic Capacity to Care: Through Education, International Trade and Resource Exchange Workshops" delegates will learn how to cultivate local constituencies to promote and sustain educational programs for girls, and for children who are living on the streets. They will also have an opportunity to improve their knowledge of international trade opportunities while exchanging, resources and developing joint venture relationships that will strengthen their capacity to care for orphan headed households and children living in and on the streets.
This conference is for us, by us and about us! It is an opportunity for those who are the most affected, infected, and at risk to share and discuss the challenges and realistic responses with regard to caring for our Sister's children, in our languages, sharing our best practices, and our approaches, presenting our solutions in a reality based environment laden with truth, honesty, trust, mutual love, respect and compassion and a determination to overcome and declare victory over this cold, deliberate, relentless, yet predictable murderer.
As you contemplate attending this conference please remember that while the conference is meant to empower Black women to care for the children, all women of all races, and the brothers who support our efforts are welcome to attend. We are all in this battle together and the bottom-line is the well-being of the children. Also ask yourself, "If I don't, who will?" Who will help the children left behind if not each of us? We are truly sisters. Africa is the land of our ancestors. Out of respect for our ancestors and ourselves, we must now take up arms as they did before us. We have a responsibility to fight for the children.
Realizing that it is important to bond as "Sisters" and to prepare mentally, spiritually, and emotionally for the serious and challenging discussions that will take place during this conference, we have structured the conference in a way that is as unique and individual as we are. Therefore, the conference is designed to offer ample opportunities for networking, one on one dialogue, and interaction between the delegates, speakers and panelists.
We trust that you will be able to attend the conference and look forward to seeing you. If you are unable to attend the conference but would like to make a contribution in some other way, i.e., donating your time, a financial gift, frequent flyer miles, travel expenses, and/or corporate or individual sponsorships, for Sisters who would like to attend but cannot afford to, we would greatly appreciate it. In addition, if you have any questions or would like to become a sponsor, exhibitor, delegate coordinator please contact us directly at 202-393-1311 ext. 4823 or you may email us at sistersforlife@aol.com. Please feel free to visit our website at www.sistersforlife.com.Together we can make a difference.
Respectfully,
Joyce W. Brown
President
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