Women now make up half the cases of HIV and AIDS worldwide. The disease is also the number one killer of African-American women aged 25-34.

For the first time, but hopefully not the last, eight Augusta women met for coffee and a frank discussion about sex, the church and HIV/AIDS awareness.

“We (women) trust a lot, we do. I became HIV positive through my marriage,” said Ann Bell, who's HIV positive.

Bell is a mother and a grandmother. It's been 11 years and counting since her diagnosis and she's proud to say she is blessed.

“A couple of years ago, if you asked me to talk and say this, I wouldn't be talking to you because I felt I was issued a death sentence. But, I got life,” said Bell.

Gale LeVon does not have HIV, but says she feels passionate about fighting it. Personally committed to celibacy since her divorce, she wants people to know it can be done.

“Just because a man looks good, says all the right things, that doesn’t mean anything. You see a lot of beautiful packages wrapped, but those packages can be deadly,” LeVon said.

“They really need to get out there and get tested. Take their mate or whomever, get tested,” Bell said.

“People who are walking by faith, who are in the church, don't think they're at risk. People try to do it right, do it Godly, but people meet people and never ask for their test results,” Carol Bass, a health counselor, added.

The women say HIV/AIDS awareness is not only about getting tested and protecting yourself, but also looking out for future generations.

“Ask your kids, ‘hey what do you know about HIV/AIDS, are you interested, does your school talk about it? Get to know what's going on in your kid’s lives,” Bell said.

Although more churches are offering awareness programs, ministers like Felecia Dicks say many still treat it like a taboo subject and that needs to change.

“The bottom line is, whether you have a cold or you're infected with HIV, you have a soul that needs to be saved," Dicks said.

There are two national events in March centered around HIV/AIDS awareness in the church and among women and girls.

19th Annual National Black Church Week of Prayer for Healing of AIDS
March 2-8, 2008
The AIDS Ministry of Williams Memorial CME Church
Services March 2ND @ 6PM, MARCH 3RD & 4TH @ 7PM
FREE HIV TESTING WILL BE AVAILABLE.
CONTACT PERSON: Pat Yates (706) 496-1036 or patriciayates@hotmail.com

Richmond County Health Dept and Beulah Grove Resource Center
National Women and Girls HIV and AIDS Awareness Day on March 10, 2008 : Beulah Grove Resource Center @ 6:30pm
1446 Lee Beard Way, Augusta, GA 30901
Sandra E. Wimberly, Health Educator-East Central Health District (706) 667-4342

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