Black Women’s Groups Join Forces to Fight Spread of AIDS in Community

Clad in black clothing, the women stood listening to the orders, like soldiers being prepped for war.

We will show up en masse wherever people gather, they were told. We will wield our information like a weapon. We will not stop until people stop dying from AIDS.

“What we will do is create a presence, a consciousness and draw the attention of the community to this epidemic,” said Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Los Angeles) at a news conference to announce a new HIV education effort. “Let me just say: When the sisters move, everybody is going to listen!”

Drawing parallels with the women’s movement against apartheid in South Africa, Waters--joined by more than 60 women--said a newly formed alliance of women’s organizations will work together to help stop the spread of HIV/AIDS among African Americans.

“HIV/AIDS has reached devastating proportions in our community and no one is being hit harder than African American women,” Waters said. “African American women represent 60% of new cases among women and the annual AIDS case rate among black women is 16 times that of white women.”

Representatives of more than 50 women’s organizations have joined the effort. The women will visit shopping centers and other public places to talk about HIV/AIDS and encourage testing. They will wear black--as they did Monday--as a show of solidarity.

The effort brings together a wide swath of women of varying ages and affiliations: members of sororities, professional organizations, religious groups, community groups, social clubs, those in health care and higher education.

“We are here today to oppose and denounce the death sentence that has been imposed on African American women,” said attorney Katessa C. Davis, president of the Black Women Lawyers Assn. of Southern California.

The disastrous impact of AIDS in the African American community is in sharp contrast to the advances made by others because of prevention and new treatments.

Last year, AIDS fell from the list of top 10 killers in the United States. But it has emerged as the No. 1 cause of death among African Americans between the ages of 25 and 44. AIDS deaths fell 32% among whites in 1996, Waters said, and only 13% among African Americans.

Over the years, African American leaders have been criticized for responding late to the epidemic. Waters said she has long been active on the issue.

Last year, Waters spearheaded an effort by the Congressional Black Caucuses to have $156 million in additional funds allocated to fight HIV/AIDS, specifically in African American and Latino communities.

The news conference at T.H.E. Clinic--a medical facility that has treated women with HIV for 12 years--had the spirit of a rally. Speakers explained the work of their organization--or pledged to become involved.

D’Ann Morris, executive director of the South Central Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Program, trains teenagers to teach other teenagers about prevention.

Lorrine Davenport, 75, said older women also need the information and must learn to share it with grandchildren and children.

“I think the more we talk about it the more comfortable they’ll feel talking about it,” said Davenport, who is a member of Holman United Methodist Church and other groups.

The first alliance event will be held in June, Waters said. About 500 women will talk to shoppers and hand out information about HIV/AIDS at the Baldwin Hills/ Crenshaw Plaza.