Jeanne White-Ginder, is an AIDS activist and mother of the Ryan White, who lost his life to AIDS-related complications on April 8, 1990 -- one month before his high school graduation and nearly three months before Congress passed the Ryan White Comprehensive AIDS Resources Emergency (CARE) Act.

Jeanne is featured in the National AIDS Memorial Surviving Voices oral history project series, “Unsung Heroes: The Hemophilia Communities Response to AIDS,” which captured stories from the national Hemophiliac Community in its efforts to ensure that stories and lessons from the AIDS epidemic are captured, curated, and retained for future generations.

Jeanne and Ryan became an important voice in the AIDS epidemic at a time when fear, cruelty and discrimination about the disease dominated the national discussion.

2020 marks 30 years since the death of Ryan.  Today, Jeanne White-Ginder is still carrying on his fight against AIDS.  

Learn more about Jeanne and Ryan’s story. 

"I think Ryan made a difference I think because of his honesty and that smile. He had a smile that made people listen, and I think he had a honesty to tell the truth and to just try to educate people."

— Jeanne White-Ginder

40 years of stories

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the fear, stigma and discrimination. We share the stories of hope, courage, compassion, and love.  And, we bring to light the harsh reality that four decades later, there is no cure and the rates of infection are on the rise, particularly in communities of color.

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