If you have not yet had the chance to take part in the activities honoring Black History Month, you will have your last chance as February comes to a close and Rae Lewis-Thornton comes to campus to educate students about the reality of AIDS.
Lewis-Thornton’s program, entitled “Living with AIDS,” centers around her experiences with the disease beginning at the age of 23 when she was diagnosed as being HIV-positive.
This is Lewis-Thornton’s first appearance at ETSU, according to Stephanie Joiner of multicultural affairs.
“HIV and AIDS are huge issues, and it’s good to hear from someone who got the disease in a way other than through a blood transfusion. [AIDS] can happen to anyone,” Joiner said.
Lewis-Thornton has appeared on Nightline with Ted Koppel and has been a guest on The Oprah Winfrey Show.
Further, her story of courage has been told in such magazines as Essence, Ebony and Emerge. Her achievements include her role as a contributing editor for WBBM-TV, a CBS-owned and operated station, where she received an Emmy for her series chronicling her stories about living with AIDS.
Lewis-Thornton is a graduate of Northeastern Illinois University and a licensed Baptist minister. She is currently enrolled at McCormick Theological Seminary’s Master’s in Divinity Program. In 1992, she was advance coordinator of Sen. Carol Mosley Braun’s senatorial campaign and was Illinois youth coordinator for Michael Dukakis’ presidential campaign in 1988. She also served as national youth director for Jesse Jackson’s presidential campaigns in 1984 and 1988.
Unfortunately, health concerns forced her to retire from her political organization career in 1993. Soon after, however, she launched her speaking career.
Lewis-Thornton’s presentation is sponsored by the Office of Multicultural Affairs.
“Delta Sigma Theta sorority is co-sponsoring the event,” Joiner said. “Ms. Lewis-Thornton is a member of that sorority.”
This program is free and takes place Thursday at 7 p.m. in the Culp Center Auditorium.
Call multicultural affairs at 439-4210 for more information.

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