Texas Dolls
Name: Terri Title: Angel Unaware She shows the Christian life Ms. Wolters is a white woman who lives in Harris, TX. |
Title: "Awareness" This disease has given me the ability to open my mouth, feel like a super star, change like a butterfly, use all of my tools, study more, find the key to life, be creative, use the phone to call for support, and always stay in touch with my femiminity. This artist is a Hispanic woman who lives in Houston, TX. |
Name: Unknown Title: "Disco Lady" I was once a beautiful Disco Lady. Met a man - married him. He put his dirty hands all over me. Now I got HIV. I have to wear glasses cause I'm going blind. But I still like to party. I will live with this and not die. Praise God! This artist is an African-American woman who lives in Houston, TX. |
Title: "Faith, Hope & Courage" My faith carried me through when the darkness of this disease took over my body. It was like hiding under a tree and that was not enough. The telephone did not stop ringing. You could have just sawed me in half, put me up for sale. Ms. Polk is an African-American woman who lives in Houston, TX. |
Name: Unknown Title: "The Good and the Bad" In life you have to take the good with the bad. Although my illness is bad I can still find and have good things in my life. ...the holidays at home with your kids and family Just live and love life. This artist is an African-American woman who lives in Houston, TX. |
Title: "Grace" HIV has given me the ability or tools to see life in a different light. To see that the things that are important are stopping to smell the flowers, staying strong, finding support, remembering family and friends, work hard for what you want, and always show love. I know everyone's journey with HIV is a special story and so I have shared mine through the years. I have learned the key to life is a positive attitude, faith and God as your foundation. This doll was created by a white woman who lives in Houston, TX. |
Name: Merrit Title: "Honey" (Show me the money!!!) When I have to stop working due to my illness, where am I going to get the money I need for Rent? Food? Telephone? When the time comes for me to "retire", how am I going to pay of my credit card bills? My dental care? Ms. Woleben is a white woman who lives in Houston, TX. |
Title: Knowledge Upon my journey of life I took an HIV/AIDS test. November 1995 my life changed for the better because the seeds of growth started coming my way. If a person waters their garden, fruit will grow. That is how HIV/AIDS is seeking knowledge. Don't be afraid to ask about the beauty of life, such as: sex, condoms, drugs, etc. Ms. Morgan is an African-American woman who lives in Houston, TX. |
Name: Jacqueline Title: "Pac Women" Feeling little people inside my body HIV bandit lady. Ms. Pacheco is a woman of Spanish decent who lives in Houston, TX. |
Title: Success Story I haven't given up the the fight. Ms. Joseph is an African-American woman who lives in Houston, TX. |
Name: Unknown Title: "Untitled" I wish I could just take this garden tool and take out all of this disease from my body. I am so tired of taking medicine and doing various laboratory tests. However, by God's grace he has kept me alive for 13 years with this disease. I know He and angels are watching over me. This artist is an African-American woman who lives in Houston, TX. |
Title: Untitled I am cleaning up my life, taking charge, calling my kids and going back to school so that I can have my kids back with me. Flying like a butterfly on the winds of live with God's help. Ms. Shepherd is an African-American woman who lives in Houston, TX. |
Name: Patricia Clarence Title: "Why Me?" When I learned of the HIV disease, I was sad, unhappy, and kept asking "why me?" But I have learned that Life does go on. With the support of my family and my faith in God, I am able to go through life now with Hope of someday saying, "I am not sick." Ms. Clarence is an African-American woman who lives in Houston, TX. |
Title: All American Dred My doll refuses to lose herself to the affects of HIV disease. She is an individual in her own right and won’t be stopped by anyone. HIV disease has impacted so many lives in the U.S. and abroad…We have to empower ourselves and find our own strength to beat it. |
Title: “Good Gracious” Good Gracious is the name my grandparents, Floyd and Ella, gave me as a child. It is only God’s good grace. Diagnosed in 1993, I am positive getting tested early on has allowed me to develop into a living doll. |
Title: Blue HIV has made me a strong woman – made me more aware of how many Latinas are really infected – how many people are walking around infected. But one simple blood test can save you – like it did for me. Thank God. For that simple HIV test will save your life. |
Title: Candy When I was diagnosed with HIV I didn’t think it affected me. |
Title: “Carpe Diem” Diva If my doll could talk about me and my experience she would use many different adjectives to describe my journey through this disease. First and foremost, I thank HIV for teaching me strength and resilience. I have learned along the way that you have to be true to yourself and never let a moment go by that you have not seized. A am an achiever, a nurturer, a mother, a sister, a daughter, and educator and a scholar. I am alive and celebrate the fact that God has blessed me with my children. This was the signal that let me know that HIV was a “life” sentence not a “death” sentence. Make the most of your life and let your legacy be something you can be proud of. I have a sign in my classroom that says “Time, the one thing you cannot recycle.” I use this to motivate me and remind myself that I must seize the day, “Carpe Diem,” for it will come no more. Make the most out of life, for it is truly a gift. |
Title: “Ever the Lady” Always remember you’re still a lady. You have to put yourself first, learn to nurture your spirit, find peace and strength, and most of all, LOVE YOU!!! |
Title: Ribbons My doll holds a red ribbon – the symbol for AIDS Awareness. When I see a red ribbon it reminds me I’m not alone. It reminds me that my friends affected and infected share in the fight against HIV – share in the survival of HIV and our hared experiences are the ties that bind us. |
Title: Tootie Fruitie “Precious” is what I realize “I am.” There is nothing more fulfilling than inner peace. Form my spiritual health I have learned to love myself first. This virus teaches me to be patient, giving, honest and respectful to other people and myself. My mission in life now is to live long and joyous. If I must live this way “I will live it positively.” |
Title: Zoe “Life” My doll wears glasses because HIV has affected my eyes. It has allowed me to see how precious time spent with those you love really is. My doll wears a cross because HIV has affected my faith. It is my faith that has given me strength. My doll wears her heart on for everyone to see because HIV has affected my heart. It holds all the love and memories of the friends I have lost to HIV and those still living with it…walking beside me in this journey. |
HIV Diagnosis: 1987 Title: Lady In the 23 years since I became infected, life has not stopped. I have watched my beautiful daughter grow-up, graduate college, become a mother and I am a grandmother. I never thought I would see my 50th birthday. But each new day is a blessing!! |
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Name: Sandra
Name: Amy
Name: Gwendolyn
Name: Patrice
Name: Beverly
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Name: Sharon