Iris House—a Harlem-based AIDS service organization—helps local black and Hispanic HIV-positive women over 50 find new strength and regain self-esteem, The New York Times reports (nytimes.com, 5/18).
The organization, which was named after late AIDS advocate Iris de la Cruz, opened its doors 15 years ago as one of the first women-focused AIDS support groups in the country. Since then, Iris House has helped countless women openly discuss the hardships—and accomplishments—that have shaped their lives with the virus.
“I’m not a ‘Yes, ma’am’ no more,” says Patricia Clouden at a meeting of the Divas, one of Iris House’s support groups. “I’m a warrior.”
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, AIDS is the fourth-leading cause of death for women over 45 and Hispanic women ages 35 to 44.
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Beth Benne, RN, is HIV negative, but
the virus has impacted her life. She currently supervises a biannual HIV/AIDS awareness week as
the director of the student health center at Pierce College, a
community commuter school in Woodland Hills, California.
Woman of the Month is supported by exclusive advertising from Gilead.
Overheard in the Women's Forum
"I recently met a guy who is negative. I did tell him about my status and he decided to kiss me anyway (we didn't go further than that). But a day later, he called and said that he actually had a mouth ulcer that time when we kissed and he was very worried. Asked if he can get the virus from me that way. For that moment, I felt so insulted and yet I felt so bad. It was my first time having a contact with a "negative" guy."
