#RocktheRedPump {Living Outside the Stacks}

“Change your shoes, change your life…”

Or change someone else’s. On Monday, 10 March, I’ll be rocking my red pumps {or cowboy boots} for a very special cause: The Red Pump Project. The Red Pump Project is an advocacy organization that seeks to raise awareness about women and girls who’re living with or who’ve been affected by HIV/AIDs. In honor of National Women and Girls HIV/AIDs Awareness Day, bloggers and every day women are being asked to “Rock the Red Pump” to help raise awareness about HIV/AIDs.

I know you may be wondering What does that have to do with me? I used to ask myself that same question. Then I realized it has a lot to do with me. I’m a woman, a daughter, a sister, a wife, and a mother. I’m also an educator. And, if you’re reading this post, chances are you’re one of those thing too. We are in the perfect position to raise awareness about a disease that is affecting women and girls on a daily basis.

Just check out some of the statistics:

HIV/AIDS in the United States:
  • There are currently 1.1 million adults and adolescents in the United States living with HIV.
  • Approximately 1 in 6 people (15.8%) who are infected with HIV do not know that they have been infected.
  • Since 2008, the number of new HIV/AIDS cases in the United States has remained constant around 50,000 per year.
  • New HIV diagnosis was highest among individuals aged 25–34 years (31%), followed by individuals aged 13-24 years (26%)
  • Top ten states with the highest rates of HIV/AIDS diagnosis are California, New York, Florida, Texas, Illinois, New Jersey, Maryland, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Georgia.

Women and HIV/AIDS

  • 1 in 139 women will be diagnosed with HIV/AIDS at some point within their life.
  • Every 47 minutes, a woman tests positive for HIV in the U.S.
  • High-risk heterosexual contact is the source of 80% of these newly diagnosed infections in women in the US.
  • From the beginning of the epidemic through 2005, almost 86,000 women have died of AIDS and AIDS-related complications.
  • The largest number of HIV/AIDS diagnoses during recent years was for women aged 15–39.
  • Seven of the 10 states with the highest case rates among women are in the South.
As women, we can make a difference. And as fashionistas, why wouldn’t we want to do it in style? So on Monday, 10 March {my 41st birthday!} I’m asking you to join me and stylish women every where as we #RocktheRedPump.
The Red Pump Project was started by Karyn of The Fabulous Giver and Luvvie of Awesomely Luvvie. The red pump symbolizes the strength and courage of women who’ve been affected directly and indirectly by HIV/AIDs.
I’m linking up with:

Please, ladies, protect yourselves, get tested, and know your status!

Daenel T

These statistics are from The Center for Disease Control and the Kaiser Family Foundation’s Fact Sheets (which cited the CDC). You can get more information about the effect of the epidemic from these sites.