Local women attend AIDS/HIV awareness conference (with photo)

The number of AIDS cases among black females in Florida is 17 times higher than among the state’s white women. HIV/AIDS has been the leading cause of death among black females in the 25 to 44 age range for the past 15 years.

In response to the crisis, the state's Department of Health held its first conference dedicated to educating community leaders and public heath officials about HIV prevention among black women June 20-22 in Orlando. More than 600 people attended the three-day event at Orlando's Florida Hotel and Conference Center.

Four members of the Okaloosa County Minority HIV/AIDS Task Force attended the conference: Tonsiaweda Y. Hayes, Angunetta Patterson, Krissy Morgan and Sandra Mims. The trip was possible with a grant from The Red Ribbon Charitable Foundation, Inc.

Hayes, the Chairperson of the Okaloosa County Minority HIV/AIDS Task Force said, “It was wonderful to see African-American women from all over the state mobilizing together to fight this epidemic, and we’re glad to be in the fight.”

The local task force continues to meet at the New Life Missionary Baptist Church every Monday after the third Sunday of each month. This month the organization is planning a sleepover for frank discussion about HIV/AIDS, including dinner and the movie, “Life Support” with Queen Latifah.

For more information, please contact Hayes at (850) 621-4187.

Read more in the July 23 edition of the Crestview News Bulletin.