GMHC Commemorates National Women & Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day in Its 30th Year

New York, NY — As GMHC marks its 30th year anniversary, we recognize National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day as an opportunity to reflect on the organization's work with women while remaining committed to the work ahead.  In 1985, women comprised 8% of AIDS diagnoses. By 2009, that figure increased to 25%.  This change is also apparent at GMHC, where 26% of our 11,000 clients are women.

"Multiple economic and social factors contribute to growing rates of HIV amongst women, including sexual violence and coercion, financial dependence upon men, inability to negotiate condom use, and a lack of access to sexual education and contraception," said Marjorie Hill, PhD, Chief Executive Officer of GMHC.  "These profound realities compel us to learn, act, and mobilize communities of women and girls."

GMHC encourages all those in the fight against HIV/AIDS to focus on the needs of at-risk women and girls.  Throughout March, GMHC will host a number of events focusing on women and HIV.  On March 13, we will screen the short film, "Many Women, One Voice: African American Women & HIV," by the National Black Leadership Commission on AIDS. Following the film, a panel of distinguished guests including Madeline Sutton, MD from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), will discuss their work with women affected by HIV and AIDS.

Women's History Month: GMHC Calendar of Events

Tuesday, March 6, 12:00 pm to 1:30 pm
Women in Need Casa, Rita Center, 391 East 149th Street, Bronx, NY--GMHC will provide free HIV testing.

Wednesday, March 7, 11:30 am to 2:00 pm
Women in Need Casa, Rita Center, 391 East 149th Street, Bronx, NY--GMHC will provide free HIV testing.

Tuesday, March 13, 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm, GMHC, 446 West 33rd Street, NYC
Screening of "Many Women, One Voice: African American Women & HIV," followed by "Women in Sync: A Community Discussion on Women and HIV," with guest speaker, Madeline Sutton, MD, MPH, Team Leader, Minority HIV/AIDS Research Initiative, CDC; guest moderator, Martha Stark, Co-Vice Chair, GMHC Board of Directors and Distinguished Lecturer, School of Public Affairs, Baruch College; and guest panelists, Ingrid Floyd, MBA, Executive Director, Iris House; Lillibeth Gonzalez, Community Health Specialist, GMHC; Jacqueline Ebanks, MS, Vice President of Programs, New York Women's Foundation; Reverend Patricia Morris, Springfield Baptist Church.

Wednesday, March 14, 11:00 am to 3:00 pm, GMHC, 446 West 33rd Street, NYC
"Women Learning to Take Care of Ourselves", a day of workshops promoting health and wellness for women living with and affected by HIV and AIDS.
 
Wednesday, March 14, 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm, Henry Street Settlement, 265 Henry Street, NYC,
Youth Empowerment Symposium, GMHC will provide free HIV testing at the  (open only to youth).

Saturday, March 17 and Sunday, March 18, Jacob Javits Center, 655 West 34th Strt, NYC
GMHC will provide free HIV testing at the GLBT Expo.

Tuesday, March 27, 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm, LGBT Community Center, 208 West 13th Street, NYC
GMHC will provide free HIV testing at the Women's Old Skool Hip-Hop dance.

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About GMHC:  GMHC is a not-for-profit, volunteer-supported, and community-based organization committed to national leadership in the fight against AIDS. We provide prevention and care services to men, women, and families that are living with, or affected by, HIV/AIDS in New York City. We advocate for scientific, evidence-based public health solutions for hundreds of thousands worldwide.  Our mission:  GMHC fights to end the AIDS epidemic and uplift the lives of all affected.