Confessions From A Black Rose

Well it is finally here, National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day(NWGHAAD). About a year ago I was ignorant about this day. I was aware of World AIDS Day and that was about it. Fast Forward a year and there are so many days that I am now aware of. Today is the day we celebrate raising awareness of the increasing impact of HIV/AIDS on women and girls. There are so many ways to get involved in NWGHAAD campaign: * Get tested for HIV * Practice safer methods to prevent HIV(safe sex, clean needles etc.) * Decide not to engage in high risk behaviors * Discuss HIV prevention with family, friends, and colleagues * Provide support to people living with HIV/AIDS * Get involved with or host an event for National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day in your community(example- a red shoe party) Some people may ask why I am so passionate about raising awareness about HIV/AIDS. First I am a passionate person to begin with. I have always fought for what I believed was

Over the next couple of weeks I will be going full stream ahead with my new project which according to my boss is my baby. Therefor my new baby is "I Stand with NJWAN" HIV Action and Awareness Campaign. My work will be raising awareness about HIV/AIDS. Here is step one, supporting other awareness campaigns. March 10 is National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. It is day that recognizes the risks of HIV/AIDS for girls and women but also raises awareness. It is a day that I encourage all young ladies to go out and get tested. Knowing your HIV status is the beginning of battle. Did you know that 80% of new HIV infections of women and girls results from having sex with an infected male partner? I didn't and that statistics scares the bee gees out of me. Did you know that 1 in 5 people living with HIV do not know that they have the virus? Once again, I am scared out of my mind. Why did I not know all of this information? Why are people so secretive and hesitant to discu