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Stephen Lewis

Personal Biography Life: Stephen Lewis, who was born on November 11th, 1937 in Ottawa, is a Canadian politician, broadcaster, and a diplomat. He is married to Michele Landsberg whose son Avi Lewis.

Political Career:

During his early political career, Stephen Lewis became a member of the Ontario legislature, who works to create laws, in 1963-1968 and was elected leader of the Ontario NDP(New Democratic Party) in 1970. But then in 1971 at the provincial election, Stephen Lewis had a disappointing performance as not a lot of people supported him.

Then, the Independent Socialist movement which was a left-wing group with the leaders being James Laxer, won one-third of the votes and ran federal NDP leader. Stephen Lewis felt like Mr.Laxer was hurting the party and established a movement against the Independent Social movement. At the 1975 election, he led a strong campaign by bringing new supporters. He wanted to address issues such as workplace safety and controlling the amount of rent from housing. He gave examples on how Ontarians are in trouble of the issues he addresses and how the issues were because of a lack of legislation. The result was that he made Premier William Davis to control the rent from housing and many supporters and citizens supported his mission.

Unfortunately, the growth of his party stopped and they were not making any progress and Stephen Lewis stepped down from a party leader to a provincial parliament.

His Journey to fighting HIV/AIDS:

From 1995-1999, Stephen Lewis worked as a leader for UNICEF(United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund). UNICEF provides children who need basic rights like child health and nutrition, safe clean drinking water, HIV prevention and treatment, safe constructed buildings, and protection of children from abuse. Then, in 2001-2006, he worked as a United Nation member to specifically deal with the HIV/AIDS crisis in Africa. He saw how many people in Africa do not have the basic human rights and necessities to live. . He even created a book titled “Race Against Time” where it describes how people need a lot more action in responding to HIV/AIDS and raising awareness.

Foundation: After being a United Nations member, Stephen Lewis created and led his own organization titled the “Stephen Lewis Foundation”. He created a campaign called “Grandmothers to Grandmothers” in March 2006 to respond to African grandmothers who struggle to take care of the millions orphaned children that have AIDS. Their goal is to lessen the burden that these wholehearted and caring grandmothers have to do. At the beginning of the campaign, it began with a few groups of people and grandmothers but then later, lots of people from all over the world help children who suffer from AIDS. He has made vaccines for other diseases like measles which was scientifically proven to reduce the spread of HIV/AIDS.

Achievements to be Recognized:

Because of his work in the United Nations and Africa, two secondary schools were open and named after him, one of them was in Mississauga, Ontario and the other in York Region District School Board.

The Governor of Canada gave Stephen Lewis the highest honor for lifetime achievement and recognition: Companion of the Order of Canada from his work helping the United Nations and Africa.