Welcome to Julie Lewis’ world of AIDS, where everything was controversial about the disease she and her friends seemed destined to die from. Julie’s life with HIV began with a shocking diagnosis in 1990 and hiding her illness, navigating safe spaces for her three small children and fearing they would suffer stigma and discrimination often experienced in the early days of the disease.  That dance ended when they told their six-year-old she had AIDS, wiping out any chance of keeping her diagnosis a secret. This began a journey of advocacy, faith and positive-living that continues to this day.

Being a trained health educator, Julie continues to share her faith and health journey to advance healthcare equity in the world, especially for women. She has raised millions of dollars for organizations furthering that cause through her 30/30 Project. 

Someone said recently, “AIDS is in the rear view mirror.” When Julie looks in that mirror she sees a mound of people and experiences that, not only are bound by struggle, loss and growth, but also seem to be replaying themselves through the narrative of our current pandemic and political landscape.