Today is National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day.  Every 47 minutes, a woman will be diagnosed with HIV in the United States.  This day is about showing support for all women afflicted by HIV or AIDS, and helping to encourage the spread of awareness.

While rocking red pumps may seem like an attempt to make a simple fashion statement, we can promise you that it is much more than that. We #RockTheRedPump as a symbol of solidarity, of boldness, and of power. This epidemic started one person at a time and that is the same way that it will end.

Today I #RocktheRedPump not just on my feet, but also on my blog and on Twitter and Facebook, helping to spread the message that those affected by this disease are not alone.

To all of our sisters living with HIV/AIDS, we stand with you.

To all of our sisters affected by HIV/AIDS, we stand with you.

I am proud to #RockTheRedPump with everyone today!  This year is the 5th annual Rock the Red Pump Project.  While great progress has been made in the area of HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment, women still represent 27% of all new AIDS diagnoses, with African-American women accounting for 66% of that group.  I encourage all of you to talk about this disease within your networks, locate your nearest testing center, get involved with an AIDS service organization near you, share a Facebook update, or dedicate a tweet.  There are so many ways that we can all make a difference.  Check out the Facebook page to join in the conversation, and see how many others are also rocking their red pumps today.  You can also upload an Instagram photo of you wearing red pumps with the official hashtag: #RocktheRedPump, or tweet some info or a photo with the same hashtag to @RedPumpProj.

Help spread the word!

xo
Carly

All photos by the incomparable Brooke Morse.  Send her some love visting her website!