People in neighborhoods all over New
York City recognize C. Virginia Fields. For nearly 20 years she played
several major roles in city government—including a seven-year term as
Manhattan Borough President and a run for mayor. Now, as the new
president and CEO of the National Black Leadership Commission on AIDS
(NBLCA), she brings her political energy to a different campaign:
Battling HIV/AIDS in the African-American community.
Woman of the Month is supported by exclusive advertising from Gilead.
Overheard in the Women's Forum
"I have had a cervical dysplasia since my early 20's. I am going to be 37. I just recently went for a pap smear and it came back all clear. Once, when I had to go to a new gynecologist, she wanted me to get a full hysterectomy. I was diagnosed with HIV by then and I was maybe 24 or 25 when this doc tried to get me to have the hysterectomy. I think she wanted me not to have any kids because of my HIV. I have had 2 pregnancies and 4 healthy kids since then."
