Mary Fisher
Artist, Activist, Poet and Author
Mary Fisher’s powerful works in fiber, sculpture and handmade paper have established her among the nation’s leading artists. Her earliest work as an artist was with fiber, including intensive work as a tapestry weaver at Cranbrook Academy of Art in her native Michigan. She was a thriving artist and mother of two young sons when…
Categories :
Full Bio
Mary Fisher’s powerful works in fiber, sculpture and handmade paper have established her among the nation’s leading artists. Her earliest work as an artist was with fiber, including intensive work as a tapestry weaver at Cranbrook Academy of Art in her native Michigan. She was a thriving artist and mother of two young sons when she was diagnosed HIV-positive in the summer of 1991. Within months, she began working to raise awareness of and dispel stigma about the disease. In the years since, she has used art and advocacy to improve the lives of people living with HIV/AIDS, especially women and girls. Quilting Arts Magazine has called Mary’s fiber art work “astonishing in its message of love, despair and hope.” Mary’s most recent water colors from the “Sketchbook” series represent an exciting synthesis of the romance of watercolor inspired by the spirit expressed through natural botanical forms.
Mary is best known for her stunning keynote address speaking truth to power at the 1992 Republican National Convention – a speech since ranked by Oxford University as one of “the best 100 American speeches of the 20th Century.” Diagnosed with HIV in 1991 and with breast cancer in 2012, she shares her experience, strength and hope with boundless energy. As an artist, she trains women worldwide to earn a dignified living using her original techniques and materials.
Major initiatives have been built on her creative and organizational groundwork. Mary is an outspoken advocate for vulnerable people around the world, and author of 6 books, including MESSENGER.
In Africa, as part of her commitment to help HIV-affected women support themselves and their families, Mary Fisher has taught Rwandan and Zambian women to hand-bead bracelets brought to the U.S. market by Fair Winds Trading, Inc., through partnerships with O, The Oprah Magazine and Macy’s.com. In the United States, she is founder of the Mary Fisher CARE (Clinical AIDS Research and Education) Fund, a philanthropy that supports long-term research for the care of people living with HIV, especially women.
Testimonials
Ernie was perfect for our Elders Conference at Little River Casino Resort in Manistee, Michigan. We will definitely be using PDA again!
LITTLE RIVER BAND OF OTTAWA INDIANS
Our speaker was great and the crowd enjoyed her! She was very engaging. Thank you again PDA for the great list of suggestions!
MEDTRONIC
Everything went great! and our speaker was wonderful! Thank you so much for all your help PDA! Looking forward to the next one.
UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI – KANSAS CITY
I hope that this message finds you well. We had a phenomenal time with Atsuko this past Thursday. We wanted to just let you know how amazing she was. All those that were in attendance thoroughly enjoyed her and had nothing but amazing things to say about her. Thank you for working with us to make sure this happened!
BAYLOR UNIVERSITY CAMPUS
We had a fantastic day with Inge! She was very engaging with all those that attended. Her personal stories about the holocaust were very special and we were moved that she was willing to share them with everyone. Thank you again, PDA for all your hard work and dedication to make this program such a success!
SALT LAKE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Dear PDA Group, Thank you so much for your hard work in scheduling our speaker! From the moment we reached out to you the first time, you worked with us on all details and logistics and kept us up-to-date on the progress. Thank you for all your hard work on making our event such a success! We couldn't have done it without you and your team!
SAP COMPANY
Thank you again, Dr. Kimbrough, for a great presentation, our attendees are still talking about it!
CAMPUS LABS
Dr. Henry Lee's presentation was entertaining, insightful and wise. I, and everyone at Pfizer, especially appreciate the remarks you directed about following your passion and preparing yourself to excel. Thank you, everyone, at PDA for helping to make this happen!
PFIZER
The event was successful! I received many messages expressing how awesome, outstanding and inspiring Ms. Webb-Christburg's speech was."
DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. MEMORIAL BREAKFAST, BOSTON, MLK SPEAKER
Everything went well. Atsuko was very easy to work with and the students enjoyed her performance! Thank you again for your recommendation and I hope to work with you again in the future!
CENTRAL MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
Dr. Novello left this morning after a very successful event on our campus! Thank you PDA Group for your help from the first phone to the last you were with us every step of the way.
GRAND VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY
Jordan Carlos was very very entertaining! A majority of students who answered the event survey indicated they really enjoyed Jordan and definitely will bring him back!
WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY
On behalf of myself and my organization Entertainment Unlimited the Campus Programming Board of Ferris State University, we thank you PDA and Dan for a successful event!! Dan was magnificent! Students really enjoyed the presentation. I know I did. Can't wait to bring in more programs with PDA Group.
FERRIS STATE UNIVERSITY
It was a great pleasure to work with PDA Group! The communication was always prompt, friendly and helpful. We loved the speakers and events we booked through Mr. Peter Walker (PDA Group).
WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
Thank you, Peter, for all your help, you'll be happy to know that the event went incredibly well! Aneesa Ferreira was by far one of the best speakers we've ever had!
FURMAN UNIVERSITY
Topics
A Conversation With Mary Fisher
HIV/AIDS
Broken to Joy
Videos
Mary Fisher Speaker - PDA Speakers
News
Testimonials
GET IDEAS
1 HOUR OR LESS
