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 am African and living in the UK. Regarding whom to tell [that you have recently been diagnosed with HIV], take your time. Once you tell someone you can't take it back. My suggestion is not to tell friends who have a bad attitude to HIV. Telling someone does take away a little of the weight you are carrying. I suggest calling an HIV support organisation. I remember when I was newly diagnosed, I called a few, and there was one where I totally connected with the person speaking and we were able to talk for ages. Going to a support group is another option, but I know from past experience, it takes guts. It took me ages before I started visiting one."
