Who will be our heroes?

In his public explanation for firing his progressive AIDS realist Deputy Health Minister Nozizwe Madlala-Routledge back in 2007, former South African President Thabo Mbeki asked the question “Who will be our heroes and heroines?” President Mbeki raised this important question, noting that every culture defines its own heroes. He was making the point that Deputy Minister Nozizwe Madlala-Routledge was being held up as a heroine in the international community and South Africa should question whether outsiders should define their heroes. He stated in the African National Congress News letter, “Is it the case that to win the approval of the loudest voices in the world of the contemporary global communication system we must behave in a manner that is consistent with their stereotypes? Who will determine who our heroes and heroines will be?”

Former president Mbeki’s question has inspired many of us to ponder who our heroes are in the fight against AIDS. I have my list of heroes, for sure. I became curious about the heroes of others in the fight against AIDS. After having spent the past couple years focused on denialists, I thought it would be good to take stock and honor the real heroes in the history of AIDS.

Who are your heroes and heroines in the fight against AIDS? Who are the advocates, activists, educators, providers, caregivers, doctors, nurses, volunteers, social and community leaders and others who inspire you? Please share your heroes with us by posting a comment to this page. Be sure to say who they are and why you find him/her inspiring. I will lead off with a couple of my own.