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The New Activists
ESSENCE
February 2004
Meet some of the men and women who have committed themselves to working in the tradition of our greatest heroes
When we think of political activists, we often recall marches across the South in the 1960's, dogs and hoses turned on Black protestors, and fervent calls for Black power. Times have changed, but activism is still alive. Many people continue to fight for racial justice. But they're also rallying behind issues involving our health, the environment, our families and our children's education.
AIDS CRUSADER
PERNESSA SEELE, 49, THE BALM IN GILEAD
HER CALLING as an immunologist at Harlem Hospital in the 1980's, Pernessa Seele watched AIDS patients suffer alone because of the stigma associated with the disease. They weren't being visited by their families or church folk. She became determined to remind African-Americans of our responsibility to one another.
HER HEALING POWER Seele approached Harlem churches with a plan to talk about AIDS: a week of prayer for the sick. So many congregations wanted to participate that her Black Church Week of Prayer became annual and is now the largest AIDS awareness program in the African-American faith community. Encouraged by the interest, Seele started The Balm In Gilead (888-225-6243), a nonprofit that helps 15,000 churches nationwide and some in Africa-altogether 200 million congregants--educate their members about AIDS.
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