For Immediate Release: PWN-Philly with DHHS to Host National Women & Girls HIV Awareness Day Event

For Immediate Release:

Contact: Waheedah Shabazz-El (267) 231-2647 or Teresa Sullivan (215) 512-5104

Philly-Positive Women’s Network to Host National Women’s & Girls HIV Awareness Day.   “Time for Women to Take Action” to Stop HIV

Philadelphia, Pa.  March 1, 2011--The Philadelphia Chapter of the U.S. Positive Women’s Network  in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Office on Women's Health (OWH) will host a local event in observance of National Women & Girls HIV Awareness Day, at the Rotunda Community Center, located 4014 Walnut St on  Saturday March 5,2011,from 10:00am until 2:00pm.  One of twelve sponsored events across the country where women will assert it is “Time to Take Action” and support the National HIV AIDS Strategy by developing approaches   that will reduce the rates of HIV amongst women and girls in the U.S.   

Jane Shull, Executive Director Philadelphia FIGHT will deliver the Key Note Address encouraging women to assume leadership in their own fight against HIV.  A  Proclamation from the City of Philadelphia will be presented to the 100 expected  guest who will be sporting “Time to Take Action” T-shirts and watches, compliments of D.C.’s Community Education Group. The event is free and will feature live performances by Philadelphia’s Award Winning Female Illusionists, Ms Andrea Lopez, COLOURS and Ms Tina Montgomery.  “This is a day for all women regardless of who you are or what you believe in to put our heads together to stop HIV” said Maria Cruz, Latino Coordinator PWN-Philly. 

National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day is a nationwide observance that encourages discussion and teaching women and girls about prevention of HIV, the importance of getting tested for HIV, and how to live with and manage HIV/AIDS. “Women have got to be made a priority.  We are now 1/3 of the HIV epidemic in the U.S. But to make that happen we have to bring our own voices to the table” said Andrea Johnson, PWN Member and Founder of Girl U Can Do It Inc.

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Who we are:

The U.S. Positive Women’s Network (PWN) is a project of WORLD (Women Organized to Respond to Life-threatening Disease) in Oakland, CA.   We are a national membership body that exists to strengthen the strategic power of women living with HIV in the United States. PWN-Philly is one of several regional organizing groups. For more information please visit: www.pwn-usa.org or join the PWN mailing list by emailing pwn@womenhiv.org.  PWN-Philly Blog: www.pwn-philly@blogspot.com