“I rock the Red Pump to raise awareness, end stigma, shame and blame that HIV brings to the lives of women who didn’t do anything wrong or different to receive such a diagnosis,” said Michelle Anderson, the first openly HIV positive woman to ever run for and win the national pageant title, Ms. Plus America 2011 in the Texas Plus America Pageant. “I rock the Red Pump for women who are living with HIV.”
Anderson, who was diagnosed with HIV in April 1999, has used her diagnosis as a way to educate the masses on the importance of HIV prevention and education. She has been nominated to sit on the Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS in 2010, recognized by the National Association of People with AIDS for the Positive Leadership Award, appeared on CNN/HLN and many other media outlets.
To learn more about how Anderson dedicates her personal life to educating others on HIV/AIDS throughout Dallas and the United States, read the Q&A story below!
Red Pump: Why is it important for women to speak openly about HIV and the issues that surrounds this condition?
Anderson: Firstly, I would like to say I do not have a condition. To say I have a condition would allow people to treat me differently and to have pity on me. I need no pity from anyone. People tend to become emotionally wrapped up in the story and forget the message (smiles). It is important for women to speak openly about HIV to raise awareness, remove stigma and bring forth commonality to HIV infection and most importantly, to end this pandemic one voice at a time.
Red Pump: Are you a part of any support groups? Local or national HIV/AIDS organizations?
Anderson: I am not a part of any support group however; I do see the importance of it especially if you have been newly diagnosed. Support groups provide life saving support and feedback to those who are traumatized by the diagnosis. The national groups I belong to are: ADAP Advocacy Association as a board member, a blogger for The Well Project’s: A Girl Like Me, and a member of PWN-USA. I am also a part of the Texas Black Women’s Initiative in Dallas, TX.
Red Pump: What has been your biggest challenge as a woman living with HIV? How have you overcome that?
Anderson: My biggest challenge as a woman living with HIV is that while I share my story to send a message of hope for those who suffer in silence, I am still met with stigma by those who choose not to listen to the message but rather pick apart my story to keep from identifying one’s own risk. I overcame that by not taking it personal and an understanding when I am met with stigma, it is a time to educate and keep it moving. Those who hear the message are those who needed to hear it.
Read more of Michelle Anderson’s interview at The Red Pump Project.
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