Our last day in Mexico was certainly star studded!! The day began with an interview with Annie Lennox.  She is such an inspiring person fighting on behalf of women and children.  Annie is an ambassador for OxFam, and really knows her stuff!  This isn't something she does because it makes her look good - this is something she does because she is a true activist.  I really think that if she were not a famous singer/songwriter, she would still be a famous activist.

After meeting Annie, I went to hear Bill Clinton address conference attendees about the work his foundation is doing.  President Clinton has been a champion for HIV prevention and treatment since he was the president, and now does even more work on behalf of this cause.  His speech to the delegates at the convention was promising and supportive.  Even though his "official" public life is over, he is busier than ever.  He had just returned from spending 8 days in Africa meeting HIV+ individuals and bringing media attention to their struggles.

I even had a chance to meet Dr. Kevin Fenton, Director, National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, for the CDC.  Talk about someone who is doing amazing work!  Dr. Fenton spends each and everyday fighting for funding for research and prevention work - not an easy job in the United States.  After he convinces the people holding the purse strings that they should write a check, he then has to make the research happen.  He may not be photographed in People magazine every week, but to me, he's a celebrity.

I am so inspired by each of these individuals.  Sometimes it seems like they can do so much more than we can, perhaps because of their reputations, resources, or connections to really important people.  I don't think that is true though.  I think what is the most amazing thing about each of these activists, and so many more, is that each of them is doing everything they can with what they have.  Dr. Fenton didn't start out as as Director at the CDC; President Clinton certainly wasn't always the president.  They have committed to doing as much as they can however, and that is something each of us can do right now, too. 

What do you think? Will you be as awesome as Annie Lennox?