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For Immediate Release
September 12, 2003
Contact: Teresa Lyles Holmes For The Balm In Gilead
TLH Communications
212-730-7381
PERNESSA C. SEELE FOUNDER AND CEO OF THE BALM IN GILEAD, INC.™ NAMED AS ONE
OF ESSENCE MAGAZINE'S FIFTY WOMEN SHAPING THE WORLD
NEW YORK, NY-September 12, 2003--Pernessa C. Seele, Founder and CEO of
The Balm In Gilead, has just been named one of "50 Women Who Are Shaping
the World" in the October issue of Essence Magazine - on newsstands
now! "50 Women Who Are Shaping the World," topped by media mogul Oprah
Winfrey, features African American women who are doing vital work that benefits
the lives of many.
"Essence is the premiere magazine for African American women," said
Seele. "Their acknowledgement of my work in this field is an honor. HIV/AIDS
is destroying the fabric of African people, particularly women, throughout the
Black Diaspora. Everyday I pray that my work within faith communities is helping
to educate Black women and their families, who are being affected in such disproportionate
numbers all over the world."
The Balm In Gilead, an organization whose work spans three decades of mobilizing
churches across the Black Diaspora to become centers for HIV/AIDS education, prevention
and compassionate care, is preparing for the 15th annual Black Church Week
of Prayer for the Healing of AIDS, March 7-13, 2004.
Today, The Black Church Week of Prayer for the Healing of AIDS, the organization's
flagship campaign, is the largest HIV/AIDS awareness campaign targeting Africans
and African Americans. The organization works with thousands of churches in African,
African American and Caribbean communities.
On December 6, 2003, The Balm In Gilead will be hosting the second largest gala
fundraiser in its history. "A Holiday Evening At The Waldorf With Nancy
Wilson," will be held in the Starlight Roof of New York's historic Waldorf
Astoria Hotel.
This gala, featuring Nancy Wilson, is the organization's first benefit since 1996.
"Jessye Norman Sings For The Healing of AIDS" was presented at
the Riverside Church in New York and included among its special guests Whoopi
Goldberg, Elton John and Maya Angelou. The television airing of Jessye Norman
Sings For The Healing of AIDS was an Emmy-award winning PBS broadcast special.
The Balm In Gilead, established in 1989, is a not-for-profit, non-governmental
organization with an international mission to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS throughout
the African Diaspora by building the capacity of faith communities to provide
AIDS education and support networks for all people living and affected by HIV/AIDS.
The organization currently works in five African countries addressing the devastation
of HIV/AIDS. The Balm In Gilead's pioneering achievements have enabled thousands
of churches to become leaders in preventing HIV by providing comprehensive educational
programs and offering compassionate support to encourage those infected to seek
and maintain treatment.
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