National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day: What Did You Do?

Yesterday, March 10th was National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. This was a day to bring awareness about the seriousness of HIV/AIDS, and the need for women and girls to get tested and stay protected. According to The Red Pump Project, "While progress has definitely been made in the areas of AIDS prevention and treatment, women still represent 27% of all new AIDS diagnoses, with African-American women accounting for 66% of that group. This year focuses on this statistic, “Every 35 minutes, a woman tests positive for HIV in the United States.”"
The Red Pump Project found a creative way to get the message out and to bring awareness to the cause. They called for bloggers and women nationwide to wear red pumps and spread the word. Some members of the Younger Women's Task Force Atlanta Chapter (YWTF-ATL) spread the news virally through emails and social media; and by following the lead of The Red Pump Project by wearing their red pumps. Our Communications and Marketing Director, Natasha L. Foreman proudly wore her red pumps and shared their symbolic meaning. After a long 11-hour day of traveling and attending a conference, Natasha didn't mind posing for a picture to show off her red shoes.

YWTF-ATL Communications and Marketing Director,
Natasha L. Foreman, MBA and her shiny red pumps

What did you do to celebrate and bring awareness to this extremely important day? How did you spread the word? Share your stories and pictures.

Remember that March 10th is not the only time of the year to educate yourself and others, and get tested for HIV/AIDS. Stay educated and informed year round by visiting these sites:

NPIN prevention resources http://www.cdcnpin.org

HIV and STD testing search and resources http://www.hivtest.org
mobile: http://m.hivtest.org

Act Against AIDS http://www.nineandahalfminutes.org

March 10th is National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day

By Natasha L. Foreman, MBA

In the United States March 10^th has been recognized and is celebrated as National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NWGHAAD).  This nationwide initiative has been established to bring awareness about the increasing rates of HIV/AIDS in women and young girls. Women represent 27% of all new AIDS diagnoses with African American women making up 66% of that statistic. It has also been reported by the CDC that “every 35 minutes a woman tests positive for HIV in the U.S”.

This is a day where you are called to take action. How can you help? First, don’t wait until March 10^th to do something. Make sure that you and the women and girls you know and love get tested; and spread the word on your Website, Twitter, Facebook, MySpace, LinkedIn, Blog, and other social media sites about test center locations and organizations that can inform, educate, and help women and girls.

Below is more information to help you get started, informed, and empowered so that you can take part in this initiative every single day of the year.

NPIN prevention resources http://www.cdcnpin.org

HIV and STD testing search and resources http://www.hivtest.org
mobile: http://m.hivtest.org

Act Against AIDS http://www.nineandahalf
minutes.org

Remember you CAN make a difference!

Natasha L. Foreman, MBA is a Business and Entertainment Consultant, Certified Personal Fitness Trainer, and Blogger. She has been an YWTF-ATL advocate at large since 2010 and she recently joined the YWTF-ATL Board of Directors as the Communications and Marketing Director. Natasha can be reached via email at natasha.ywtf@gmail.com