The Red Pump Project is a non-profit organization founded in 2009 by
Luvvie Ajayi and Karyn Brianne Watkins to raise awareness about the
impact of HIV/AIDS on
women and girls. The group uses the red pump as a "symbol of empowerment to represent the strength and courage of women affected by HIV/AIDS."
The Red Pump Project hosts a number of in-person events such as "Cupcakes for Condoms" and the "Rock the Red Fashion Show," but they are also especially astute at
harnessing the power of social media to create social change; they do this through their signature annual campaign,
#RocktheRedPump, which commemorates National Women and Girls' HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NWGHAAD), which is recognized each year on March 10th.
As part of #RocktheRedPump, media-savvy women are encouraged to tap into their social networks to educate others on the HIV/AIDS epidemic and to rock a pair of their favorite red pumps on March 10th to draw attention to the cause. Because, as The Red Pump Project likes to say, "awareness is always in style!"
You can learn more about the Red Pump Project and read their blog at their
homepage.
Contributed by Liana Gamber-Thompson on 5/10/14
The Red Pump Project Media
