Lazara*

Hello! My name is Lazara. I'm a 24-year-old Latina from New Jersey. I have a bachelor's degree in community health education and am currently with the National Latina Health Network as the AHORA! Program Coordinator.

I am a very enthusiastic activist for equality, especially for Latinas/os and LGBTQ youth. Since I am involved in the field of human sexuality, I believe that it is my responsibility to also work to prevent HIV/AIDS among these communities. I am currently involved with Advocates for Youth's Youth Activists Network; Princeton, NJ Latin American Task Force; and some other statewide coalitions. My hobbies include anything that involves music - whether it be dancing, making music, listening to, or sharing music. Music influences the way I feel everyday.

When I interned at Sexuality Information & Education Council of the U.S. (SIECUS), I did some research on Web sites for young women of color. Among the few, I found MySistahs. I was surprised to see that there was actually on organization with a group that served "my people." As time passed, I received an application from a colleague because MySistahs was looking for a new group of peer educators. I remember feeling very honored to be applying to the group I had once glimpsed.

In doing some further research on MySistahs, I realized that this was exactly the type of thing I wanted to be involved with. MySistahs deals with issues that are very important to me, such as young women’ sexuality and reproductive health and helping youth women prevent STIs and HIV/AIDS. These issues have had a big impact on my life.

I am a young woman of color and the issues that are dealt with on this site are those which can affect me at anytime. Sometimes, we all just need someone to listen to us. I think MySistahs gives me the opportunity to listen and to share some of my experiences with others.

I would love to see more young women (of color or not) active in the fight against HIV and other STIs. We need to learn how to take care of our bodies and appreciate who we are no matter what the circumstances. We need to start valuing who we are, not for what other people perceive, but for who we REALLY are - STRONG, INDEPENDENT WOMEN!

* Lazara is a former peer educator with MySistahs. The information above was from when she was a peer educator. It is no longer updated.

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