Lucrecia Vásquez Acevedo

President, Felehansen

Lucrecia is the president of Felehansen, an organization of persons affected by Hansen’s disease in Colombia. She serves as a legal representative of organizations of persons affected by Hansen’s disease, tuberculosis, and HIV, and people with disabilities. Lucrecia overcame Hansen’s disease alongside her son, who is also a person affected by leprosy. Today, she supports persons affected who cannot turn to their families for support due to the myths, stigma, and discrimination surrounding Hansen’s disease. She is a mental health advocate and community organizer who works to end discriminatory laws and strengthen the Hansen’s disease community. Lucrecia understands the need to include persons affected by Hansen’s disease at decision-making tables. She aims to represent persons affected to improve their quality of life.