Who Was Hydeia Broadbent
An inspiration to young activists everywhere, the world lost a beautiful soul in Hydeia Broadbent.
After testing positive for HIV at the age of three, Hydeia became one of the most notable child activists of her generation. Hydeia appeared on Oprah Winfrey’s show, breaking down hate at the height of the AIDS crisis. When asked what the hardest part of having AIDS was, eleven-year-old Hydeia answered: "When your friends die. That's the hardest part because you love them and you always lose a friend to AIDS... A lot of my friends have died of AIDS."
She made frequent television appearances after that, including a spot with Magic Johnson on Nickelodeon, committing her childhood to fighting for those like her. Hydeia humanized the AIDS crisis and inspired countless activists to join the fight against stigma. She passed away in February 2024 at the young age of 39.
Remembering Hydeia Broadbent
How does one honor a life as precious and impactful as Hydeia’s?
The AIDS Memorial Quilt was created to remember and celebrate the stories and lives of those lost to HIV/AIDS. Drivers of change use the Quilt as a powerful tool to bring generations together and raise awareness about the impact of the ongoing epidemic.
In the winter of 2024, the National AIDS Memorial partnered with our friends at LINKS, Inc. for a series of panel-making workshops in Georgia. One of the nation’s oldest organizations committed to ensuring the culture and economic survival of African Americans, they joined us to honor lives lost to AIDS in the Black community and beyond.
Hydeia's Sorority, Sigma Gamma Rho, attended one of those workshops. They worked on the initial design for a Hydeia Broadbent panel, a beautiful AIDS Memorial Quilt panel in her honor, ensuring that her life and legacy of activism will not be forgotten.
At an Atlanta, GA event for National Women and Girls HIV Awareness Day with Gilead Sciences, we shared one of the Quilt panels made for Hydeia with the community. Thanks to the work of quilters, Hydeia’s life and legacy were at the forefront of public attention on this crucial day of awareness and remembrance.
Carrying Hydeia’s Legacy Forward
The response to Hydeia’s passing demonstrates the importance of memorials like the Quilt. By sharing the story of the struggle against HIV/AIDS, we can offer healing and hope to survivors and inspire new generations of activists in the fight against stigma, denial, and hate for a just future.
Thank you, Hydeia, for everything you did for our community. We will continue to share your story and strive to ensure that you will inspire young activists for decades to come.
Learn more about how you can host AIDS Memorial Quilt panels in your community: https://www.aidsmemorial.org/request-the-quilt
