Through years of advocating for those who share her HIV-positive status, Mary Fisher
became convinced: "Women who share poverty and AIDS can be empowered only by employment."
Now when she travels the world -- as artist, author and ambassador of the United
Nations' HIV/AIDS program -– Mary focuses especially on income-generation projects
that help AIDS-affected women earn a living, care for their families and sustain
their health.
Her latest effort, The ABATAKA Collection, links women worldwide to their African
sisters in a partnership of art, work and hope. Named for an African term that means
"family, community, belonging," The ABATAKA Collection is a gallery of intricately-crafted
bracelets, designed by Mary and lovingly hand-crocheted by African women who receive
all the profits from bracelet sales.