Email
Comments
Print-FriendlyWomen on Maintaining Education and Nutrition, a local non-profit known simply as W.O.M.E.N., is set to receive a five-year, $2-million CDC grant to help stem HIV transmission in women who do not view themselves as at risk.
"I'm trying to reach the church-going, educated, head of household, employed black woman," said W.O.M.E.N. Founder and CEO Catherine Wyatt-Morley. "She doesn't believe she is at risk because she is successful, educated, wears designer clothes, and drives a nice car, but she is just as at risk as the prostitute or person sharing needles. I know this because that was me, and I was married when I became infected."
Under the grant, the group will provide HIV counseling, testing, and referrals, and will educate women by giving them basic HIV prevention and transmission information. "It is critical that the face administering programs is reflective of the population that it serves," said Wyatt-Morley.
The CDC grant allows W.O.M.E.N. to expand into a 13-room suite, which includes a library, testing rooms, meeting space, storage, a food bank, and administrative offices. The non-profit will also extend its service provision outside Davidson County, offering behavior interventions, rapid HIV mouth-swab testing, and handing out free female condoms to women throughout the area.
In addition, Wyatt-Morley has set her sights on hosting social events comparable to Tupperware and Mary Kay parties for highlighting HIV/AIDS education and prevention. "We believe once women are educated," said Wyatt-Morley, "they have the biggest impact on the family and community because women love to talk."
