67. DANIEL MONTOYA He’s the director of external affairs of health programs at the American Institutes for Research in Washington, DC. In that role, he helps guide the CDC’s communications to the public about HIV/AIDS. But what he does behind the scenes is equally powerful. 68. DAVID MUNAR When not running marathons to raise money for AIDS, Munar helps run the AIDS Foundation of Chicago (he’s the vice president). He also runs back and forth to DC to advocate on the Hill, and he helped run the “shadow National HIV/AIDS Strategy group” that ensured the leadership in Washington got a clear picture of what is needed to end AIDS in America. An openly gay, HIV-positive Latino man, Munar offers a powerful voice that speaks to many intersecting factors that fuel the spread of the virus. 69. PATRICIA NALLS As founder and executive director of The Women’s Collective in Washington, DC, Nalls works on the cutting-edge—and keeps women from falling over it. 70. CATHY OLUFS The education services director of the Center for Health Justice in Hollywood, California, Olufs has long championed the rights of positive people in prison. She’s an activist, a teacher and a voice of reason. 71. TOKES OSUBU The executive director of Gay Men of African Descent provides health and social services to black gay men while battling the homophobia and stigmatization of MSM in the black community. Addressing the challenges of living with HIV as a black American, Osubu helps his people get whole. 72. KAREN PEARL As president and CEO of God’s Love We Deliver in Manhattan, Pearl sees to it that people living with HIV/AIDS (and other illnesses that keep them housebound) get fresh, nutritious, homemade food delivered daily. The former head of Planned Parenthood sees food and the personal touches offered by her staff that drop off meals as lifelines for people trying to survive. Making patients feel human again is her recipe for success. 73. JIM PICKETT The director of advocacy at the AIDS Foundation of Chicago also champions the idea of developing microbicides for rectal use. His work as chairman of the International Rectal Microbicides Advocates is instrumental in fighting for much-needed new prevention methods. 74. GINA QUATTROCHI The executive director of Bailey House in New York runs an award-winning communitybased organization that provides housing, services and technical assistance to people with HIV. Quattrochi adjusts her services to the changing needs of her clients. For example, handing out warm meals and clean needles together. 44 POZ DECEMBER 2010
75. MICHAEL EMANUEL RAJNER The one-man powerhouse from Fort Lauderdale is a regular on the political scene from local Dade County to Capitol Hill. He calls, and asks, shows up and demands until people hear his words of wisdom. Imagine the impact he could have with more backing. 76. SHERYL LEE RALPH The founder and director of The Diva Foundation in West Hollywood, California, lights up a stage and sends shivers down your spine. Quick, someone get her a gig at the White House. Maybe then the First Lady will listen to the fact that HIV/AIDS is the No. 1 killer of African-American women ages 25 to 34. 77. JOSÉ RAMIREZ As youth empowerment program coordinator at La Clínica del Pueblo in DC, Ramirez talks turkey to the teens and young adults he counsels. Whenever this out, gay, HIV-positive young Latino speaks, his peers are all ears. 78. SUSAN RODRIGUEZ The president and founding director of Sisterhood Mobilized for HIV/AIDS Treatment (SMART) University in New York is living with HIV—and living with a teenage HIV-positive daughter. Her organization provides free treatment and prevention classes for women. She and her daughter provide role modeling for how to gracefully live in spite of the virus. 79. FRANCISCO RUIZ As the manager of the Racial/ Ethnic Health Disparities program at the National Alliance of State and Territorial AIDS Directors (NASTAD), Ruiz focuses on Latino youth. He’s a real up-and-comer. 80. ERIC SAWYER The civil society partnerships advisor to UNAIDS has lived with HIV for as many years as we’ve known it was the virus that causes AIDS. A founding member of the original ACT UP, Sawyer leverages three decades of advocacy experience to help those in need and keep others from landing in the same boat. He’s brilliant. 81. CARL SCHMID The deputy executive director of The AIDS Institute is at every government meeting to which the public is invited, and many the public is not. He stands tirelessly for the rights of people with HIV and fought to get more funding for the AIDS Drug Assistance Program. Schmid not only saves lives but also shows that a consistent message, if heard, can lead to positive change. 82. JULIE SCOFIELD The executive director of NASTAD ensures that the link between federal funding and state-run AIDS programs stays strong. Her strategic vision and diplomacy are often tapped to hone strategies and policies. 83. LINDA SCRUGGS The director of programs for AIDS Alliance for Children, Youth and Families, Scruggs has survived more hardship than many of us can imagine— and done so with a grace and steadiness that inspire. This AIDS educator is living proof that you can’t keep a good woman down.
(LINDSEY) MACKENZIE STROH; (HARRINGTON) KEVIN MCDERMOTT; (LEVIN) CHRISTIAN GIANELLI; (FOWLER) SCOTT PASFIELD
in Washington, DC, Milan is a 26-year survivor of HIV and a national expert on and advocate for HIV/AIDS policies and programs. His awards and former appointments are too many for this space, but with Milan, much good gets done.