Linda Scruggs

Linda H. Scruggs (born 1964) is a HIV/AIDS activist and advocate. She is the co-owner and founder of the Ribbon Consulting Group, a founding member of the Positive Women's Network USA and a founding member of the US National Black Woman HIV Network.[1]

Biography

Scruggs tested positive for HIV in 1990 when she was 13 weeks pregnant and 18 months into drug recovery.[2][3] She was offered a termination of the pregnancy, but refused, and her son was born HIV-negative.[2] After her diagnosis, Scruggs became a HIV/AIDS activist and advocate.[4] She began working as a women's health advocate at the Moore Clinic at the Johns Hopkins University.[5]

In 2012, Scruggs co-founded the non-profit Ribbon Consulting Group, which facilitates engagement with policymakers, government agencies, and national HIV organizations.[5] She is also a founding member of the Positive Women's Network USA and a founding member of the US National Black Woman HIV Network.[2]

Scruggs has spoken about HIV in front of heads of state, such as Bill Clinton.[2][6] She was also given an Honorable Mention by Barack Obama when he launched his National HIV/AIDS Strategy in 2010.[7]

Scruggs was quoted by the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS on the 40th anniversary of Denver Principles.[8][9] She spoke at the 2012 International AIDS Society's Conference in Washington, D.C.[2][10]

In January 2024, Scruggs was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters (DHL) by the Breakthrough Bible College and Theological Seminary.[5]

Activism

She has dedicated over three decades of her life to fighting for and championing the rights and well-being of people living with HIV/AIDS.[11]

References

  1. ^ "Linda H. Scruggs". ROC 4 Aging+. Retrieved December 4, 2025.
  2. ^ a b c d e Anderson-Minshall, Diane; Anderson-Minshall, Jacob. "No. 8 of 20 Most Amazing HIV-Positive Women: Linda Scruggs". HIV Plus Magazine. Archived from the original on April 25, 2025. Retrieved June 6, 2025.
  3. ^ Manning-Schaffel, Vivian (December 1, 2023). "8 Women on Living With HIV-AIDS Long-Term". The Cut. Archived from the original on March 1, 2024. Retrieved June 6, 2025.
  4. ^ IAC - the International AIDS Conference (July 25, 2012). Linda Scruggs and Her Journey to Becoming and AIDS Activist. Retrieved June 6, 2025 – via YouTube.
  5. ^ a b c "Women's Research Initiative on HIV/AIDS (WRI) 2025: Linda H. Scruggs". The Well Project. Retrieved June 6, 2025.
  6. ^ Straube, Trent (December 19, 2012). "Heart to Heart". POZ. Archived from the original on April 14, 2024. Retrieved June 6, 2025.
  7. ^ "President Obama on the National HIV/AIDS Strategy". The White House. July 14, 2010. Retrieved June 6, 2025.
  8. ^ "The Denver Principles: 40 years on". UNAIDS. Archived from the original on June 4, 2025. Retrieved June 6, 2025.
  9. ^ Sabin, Miriam Lewis (June 24, 2023). "How the Denver Principles changed health care for everyone". The Lancet. 401 (10394): 2099–2100. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(23)01293-X. ISSN 0140-6736. PMID 37356436.
  10. ^ IAC - the International AIDS Conference (July 25, 2012). Linda Scruggs and Her Journey to Becoming and AIDS Activist. Retrieved June 6, 2025 – via YouTube.
  11. ^ "Visual AIDS | AIDS Activist Legacies: Richard Berkowitz in…". Visual AIDS. Retrieved December 4, 2025.
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