Here is a little bit about me My name is Elizabeth Fernandez.. I am a Latina woman breaking traditional codes facing stigma against HIV/AIDS and fighting Cancer in my larynx with chemo and radiation I do my best to live my life. I was given my HIV/AIDS diagnosis in 2000 and Cancer in 2012. My life became difficult as I endured stigma and discrimination from my own community. When I found out that I had to live with HIV, my knowledge of this virus was limited. I thought I was having my husbands child so I got tested! Honestly, while I heard about AIDS, I never thought it would happen to me! I became depressed and isolated myself from others.

My thoughts at that time were that I was going to die. My mind was in rewind-rewind –why DID I GET THIS!!

"ASKING WHY ME? WHY WHY ME BUT TRUTH IS WHY NOT ME?" This was a difficult time in my life because I was in a faithful relationship, and had so many unanswered questions. At that time important to move forward. I was on a journey of emotional pain, denial “why me?” My hope, strength and support came from my GOD, family, my two sons, my two brothers and my partner who continuously love me unconditionally.

Suddenly, I realized that I needed to channel my pain and educate myself to be able to advocate for the things I needed. There was the reasons why I needed to stay healthy and live. I made the decision to become my own advocate learning everything I needed to know about HIV health care, mental health, support groups, and meeting others in the HIV community. This is where I built up a lot of my strength today. People just like me thinking positive and making the right choices to live a long life.

After a several years, I did an interview to educate others, but June 13, 2010, I was socked to see myself in The Journal News a local paper in Yonkers. They had put my face on the front page calling me "the New Face of Aids" in RED Bold letter now I had to speak up for myself and stand up to speak about HIV/AIDS in my community in which at times I am standing alone as the only HIV+ positive person in the room. I had stand up to stigma as a Latina Women it is all I know howe to do therfore giving it a face by addressing it and now running, I was not going hide but it was a FIGHT OR FLIGHT moment. Now speaking to my community and begin bilingual, I spoke to them in both languages not miss anyone who was present on June 18, 2010 at Lincoln Memorial Park in Yonkers NY on HIV AWARENESS, education on prevention and vital knowledge.

Today, almost 15 years later I am here still open to learning new strategies to improve the quality of my life. HIV is complex like no other disease because of the stigma, discrimination, shame, and fear. To top it off, there is minimal government inaction that we allow to happen because of the stigma.My model for others is to get involved, learn as much as you can, ask questions, and most importantly team up with the people who care for you. Stay open to new ideas and suggestions!

People discriminate HIV does not! We as people with HIV/AIDS don’t have to reinvent the wheel there are numerous agencies to help you in your journey. They are VITAL TO OUR FIGHT TO END AIDS - It is crucial for us to advocate, educate our children and everyone at risk. We as positive people living with HIV, need to stay on our medication, have proper housing, and be able to Obtain optimal health as well as support services. I am now committed to organizing others in our community to make sure that they can take this message to our elected officials. Speaking out, and organizing works.

I returned to school, got my GED attended Pace University and graduated from a certificate program for the office professional on computer software. I have trained and certifications and award in the HIV/AIDS field on education and prevention. I am founder of the team Moving you feet to a different which does the NYC AIDS WALK every year and have be sponsored by Starbuck and Dunkin Doughnuts.

I attend a Conference at Untied Nation to help woman on domestic violence and HIV at the World Woman 2013. I represented the Untied States of America in 2012 at XIX International AIDS Conference in Washington DC. I was supported by the National Latino AIDS Action.

I am a Bi-lingual Community Educator on Vital knowledge, HIV expert, Cancer Consultant, an Activist and advocate, I am a life coach. I am also part of the Yonkers and Mt. Vernon Task force In Westchester County. What is most importantly to me is passing on the baton and moving closer to the purpose for which God intended. I spend a lot of time as an active community leader for VOCAL NY in New York City and WESTCHESTER advocating for funding in holding meetings in Albany.

Attending rallies in Washington for PEPFAR, the Robin Hood tax fund and the 50th Anniversary to the Martin Luther King March on Washington DC. We have hosted town hall meetings with our Congressmen and Congresswomen. I have worked on a campaign that led President Obama to make “seeking an AIDS free generation” official U.S.A. policy. Just this last year I spoke of WPB Radio Baltimore on World Aids Day and Real Rapp Radio coming out of Philly. I was the keynote speaker for the Mount Vernon Task Force. I also attend the La Reunion Latina 2014 in Albany, CLLP 2014 in Sprinffeild MA. I was a panelist for NBLAC.INC and was selected to attend the National people action Conference in Washington DC as a VOCAL NY Leader active member and a positive woman living with H.IV.

On Friday, October 17, 2014 SisterLove celebrated 25 years, hosted the 5th Annual 2020 Leading Women’s Society Awards in honor of 20 outstanding women of which I am one from across the country that have lived with HIV & AIDS for more than 10 to 20 years and have served their community as vocal HIV positive leaders and advocates. I was also part of one of the leading organization for the World AIDS Day 2014 at The Apollo VOCAL NY. Traveling my times to Albany and Washington DC to make changes towards Ending AIDS in NYS by speaking about the 2020's Governor's Plan Task Force and recommendations taking about SPE Single Point of Entry aka HASA Housing for All for all HIV+ people state. Syringe possession decriminalization and more funding for Hep C.I have currently been selected to be spokes model for Better World Advertisement.

We are more than Conquerors! We are all Positive People trying to better our World to End Aids for A Positive Approach to a New World Without HIV/Aids. I hope everyone learns by reducing risky behaviors and practicing harm reduction you decrease the chance of contracting HIV. I urge you to protect yourself, get tested, and know your status. I also will to inform you about PEP-Pre /Post Exposure prophylaxis it can reduce the risk of infection within 72 hours, a pill you must take for a month, but not 100% grantee you can get it at the Emergency Room. I pray for my brothers and sisters who are Positive People stay strong and healthy, and to those who have passed S.I.P. sleep in peace! I know if I can do it, so can you. I love Positive people, remember HIV POSITIVE PEOPLE, WE ARE PEOPLE TOO. God bless you all and thank you Eliza= 1+PositiveWoman 4 life standing 4 All...

Deuteronomy 20:4

For the Lord your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory.”