photos c/o Thomas Garza Photography
PositiviTEA benefitting Legacy Counseling Center took place on Wednesday, November 2nd at the Westin Dallas Hotel co-chaired by Real Housewives of Dallas star LeeAnne Locken and Heidi Dillion. PositiviTEA is Legacy’s way of raising awareness for the number of women in Dallas County living with HIV/AIDS, which currently numbers over 4,000. All proceeds raised through PositiviTEA benefit the Grace Project Conference, the largest conference in the world for living with HIV/AIDS right here in Dallas’ backyard. The conference seeks to support, educate and empower women living with HIV. Among those in attendance were Tina Craig, Jamie O'Banion, Jenny Anchondo, Gina Ginsberg, Carmen Surgent, and Alison Volk. Locken's #RHOD co-stars Brandi Redmond, D'Andra Simmons, and Kameron Westcott were also in attendance. Cameras were rolling so look for this event to be featured on Season Two of the Real Housewives of Dallas next year. 👍🏻
Helen Goldenberg was diagnosed with HIV/AIDS in 1984. She was given 6-8 months to live and on this day, she spoke passionately on why the Grace Project emboldens women to keep going and never give up. Through the Grace Project she found her strength and now is the Chair of the Ryan White Planning Council. The featured speaker, Diane Reeve, spoke about her personal experience with HIV/AIDS and shared stories from her new book, Standing Strong. Infected with the disease in 2007, Reeve led the charge on securing the conviction of a serial HIV/AIDS infector who knowingly gave her and 12 other women HIV. She spoke about how the Grace Project leads to an empowering break in the cycle of isolation for many women who realize their positive status. Reeve ended her time saying, "The Chinese have a saying: Fall down seven times, stand up eight. It's not how often you get knocked down, but that you continue to stand up and move forward in a positive way with your life." The tea ended with an original song sung by Shalonda Henderson. PositiviTea raised almost $29K for Legacy Counseling.
For as little as $50.00 Legacy will create a scholarship in your name so that a woman with HIV may attend this life-changing conference. And there are many more ways to help! For more information about the Grace Project, or for information on how to donate a scholarship, please visit legacygraceproject.org.
