The woman I chose to write about that I believe was a great leader and a positive influence to society is Princess Diana. Throughout her lifetime, Princess Diana was always in the spot light. She captured the world with her beauty, grace, and compassion. Millions of people could identify with her and, when she died, they felt as though they had lost a best friend. More than a year after the sudden end of her life, Princess Diana's charity work still motivates many others to donate their own time in hopes to help the lives of others. Through the vigorous fund raising and campaigning Princess Diana has greatly affected the lives of the patients she has reached out to.
Diana Frances Spencer was born on July 1, 1961 near Sandringham, England. Her father announced at the time of her birth, she was nothing less than a "perfect physical specimen." (Smith) She was the third surviving child of her parents. In 1967 her parents, Johnnie and Frances separated, then in 1969 their divorce became final. Johnnie Spencer won custody of their four children. She later became Lady Diana Spencer after her father inherited the title of Earl Spencer in 1975.
On February 24, 1981, Princess Diana's life changed forever. Her engagement to Prince Charles, the heir to the British throne, was announced. They were married in Saint Paul's Cathedral on July 29, 1981. The ceremony was internationally televised. People all over the world tuned in to watch. Princess Diana was married into one of the most powerful families in the world (Encarta).
The turning point of Diana’s life was when she turned twenty- six years old. This was when Diana decided to become involved with AIDS, a subject shunned by those of the British Society who were wealthy. Overnight Princess Diana changed from a young woman to a mature

woman who had created a role for herself. On April 1987 Diana opened Britain's first purpose-built ward for AIDS sufferers, at London's Middlesex Hospital. Many were shocked at the fact that she didn't wear any protective clothing when around the patients. At that time the British knew very little about AIDS. Some believed it could be caught and passed on by touch, kissing, or even hugging someone who was infected. The revelation that a royal, like Princess Diana, had taken such an enormous risk with a deadly disease shocked many people. Many people wondered, and still to this day wonder if it was advisable for the Princess of Wales to get involved. Buckingham Palace was torn. Some of the Queen's advisers totally opposed the young
Princess becoming involved with AIDS, a taboo subject never discussed in polite company or at British upper-class dinner parties. In 1987, many British condemned it as "that gay disease" which only affected "homosexuals and drug addicts," two groups which received very little sympathy. The advisors argued strongly that the public would be unsympathetic and warned that becoming associated with AIDS charities could harm her position as the future Queen. They also feared it could weaken public sympathy for the Royal Family. Despite much criticism, Diana was determined. She contacted many charities to produce studies showing how innocent babies and mothers contracted the disease. These were women and babies who had nothing to do with drug addiction or homosexuality. Five years later, in 1992, Buckingham Palace adopted a different attitude. Press spokesman Dickie Arbiter explained: "It's abundantly clear that Princess Diana is determined to break down prejudice about HIV. Nobody told her to adopt this cause. Everything she does is spontaneous and nothing is premeditated. It was her own decision to show someone infected with it.” This quote proves the kind heartiness of Princess Diana. It shows that the only reason she did community service was to help others. Even when others misjudged her, Diana followed her beliefs and kept on doing what she believed in. Diana came far in helping others realize the truth about those with HIV and disproved the many stereotypes of the sick.
Princess Diana made the statement, "HIV does not make people dangerous to know, so you can shake their hands or give them a hug God knows they need it." (Theworkcontinues.org)
It wasn't only AIDS that commanded Diana's attention and concern. Some of the one hundred ten charities Princess Diana supported included banning of land mines, Palliative Care, children with Leukemia, Penal Reform, and Centrepoint. Centrepoint is an organization that helps homeless youth and teens by getting them off the streets. They provide temporary shelter, help in getting an education, job placement, and counseling. Since Diana’s death, her son, Prince William has taken over and carries on her legacy by volunteering his time to support this organization. Diana especially wanted to reach out to those patients and victims who were shunned by the rest of the world. Not only did Diana personally reach out to victims of terrifying diseases, but she used her high profile to raise awareness and funds for charitable causes while fighting the stigma associated with “unpopular” causes.
Diana was determined to keep up with her charity work, until her death on August 31, 1997, in Paris, in an automobile accident with her lover Dodi Al-Fayed. After Princess Diana's death there were calls for her to be nominated for sainthood. She touched the world in many ways, from giving hope to people with AID's to her involvement in the banning of land mines. She stated "Nothing gives me more happiness than to try to aid the most vulnerable of this society. Whoever is in distress who calls me, I will come running."
Diana showed it wasn't necessary to be apprehensive towards the victims of the various diseases she worked with. Most of Princess Diana’s humanitarian efforts remain active to this day. Princess Diana lived an influential life and her efforts will never be forgotten.

Works Cited
Bedell-Smith, S. (1999). Diana in Search of Herself: Portrait of a Troubled Princess. Times Books

Diana Princess of Wales Memorial Fund. Theworkcontinues.com Retrieved 09:30, Dec. 1, 2011 from http://www.theworkcontinues.org

Encarta

Princess Diana. (2011) Biography.com Retrieved 08:07, Nov. 24, 2011 from http://www.biography.com/people/princess-diana-9273782

Princess Diana. (2011) Britishroyals.info Retrieved 08:39, Nov. 24, 2011 from http://www.britishroyals.info/diana/biography.html