Florida: HIV/AIDS Event Concludes Women's Conference Week

Florida A&M University's Women's Conference Week ended on March 29, with the group Students Against the Spread of HIV/AIDS-Access to Rapid Tests (SASHA-ARTs) hosting "Tea Time: Girl if you only knew." Sharronda James, president of the university's SASHA-ARTs chapter, explained that Tea Time was a "girl talk and open discussion" about the stigma against HIV/AIDS in the black community. James said that the event was aimed at women and was intended to bring awareness to the community and educate students about how to maintain a healthy body and lifestyle.

A pharmacy student who attended said that the event was informative and reminded her not to be judgmental. She learned that it was important to know the facts about HIV/AIDS before judging someone with the disease. Sheena Grayson, another student and HIV/AIDS advocate, expressed appreciation for the awareness campaign on campus. Grayson, who has a close friend with HIV/AIDS, commented that people who do not have the disease should be more sensitive to those who are infected. At the end of the event, participants viewed a short film titled "Secrets." The film was produced and directed by Alexandria Collins, a senior broadcast journalism student. Collins explained that she wanted to provide an honest, truthful portrayal of what people experience instead of hiding the issues.

Back to other news for April 2013