Could You...Rock The Red Pump?

Pump: CARLOS by Carlos Santana Venetian

The Red Pump Project, found in March 2009 by Luvvie Ajayi and Karyn Watkins was born out of the twos desire:

1.      To get a conversation started on the issue of HIV/AIDS, and

2.      To ask others to do the same. With this the Luvvie and Karyn put out a call for bloggers to “Rock the Red Pump.”

The project raises awareness about the impact of HIV/AIDS on women and girls. Their mission is to promote HIV prevention through education, and open dialogue about the issues that surround sexual and reproductive health.

The red shoe is used as a symbol of empowerment to represent the strength and courage of women infected and affected by HIV/AIDS. The incorporation of fashion into the message of HIV prevention is the founders’ contribution as they hope to show that Awareness is Always in Style!

Red Pump along with The Red Tie Project™ (which focuses on men), embody The Red Project Collective™, a nonprofit organization that raises awareness about the impact of HIV/AIDS on minority communities (women, people of color, LGBT). The Collective is doing work online and on the ground to motivate action and encourage dialogue about the effects of the disease.

With this year’s 3^rd campaign launch (January 18^th) bloggers from across the country were invited to join in commemorating NWGHAAD and to use their voice, platforms, and influence to help us raise awareness about the increasing impact of HIV/AIDS on women and girls.

The goal? To get 500 blogs to place one of the six available Red Pump badges on their sidebars in the 50 days leading to NWGHAAD (March 10th). As of February 11^th they have surpassed that goal - 650 blogs are officially Rocking the Red Pump!

 

And so now that you’re informed would you join in? It’s a simple request for a great cause.

REMEMBER:

When: Annually, March 10^th

What: National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NWGHAAD), a nationwide initiative to raise awareness about the increasing impact of HIV/AIDS on women & girls and encourages ladies to take action.

Why: Women still represent 27% of all new AIDS diagnoses, with African-American women accounting for 66% of that group. This year focuses on this statistic, “Every 35 minutes, a woman tests positive for HIV in the United States.”

How can you help: 1^st, Educate yourself, 2^nd, Educate a friend, a loved one, a stranger, and 3^rd Just Rock the Red Pump!

VISIT: The Red Pump Project