Episodes

  • The Women Who Stayed Episode 8

    The Women Who Stayed Episode 8
    Jul 24 2026

    Music has always been part of Donyne Cowan's life.


    In the 1980’s, HIV/AIDS changed everything.


    After losing close friends, roommates, and colleagues to the epidemic, Donyne turned grief into action—spending more than two decades supporting people living with HIV through Positive Directions and the AIDS Action Committee.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    36 mins
  • The Women Who Stayed Episode 7

    The Women Who Stayed Episode 7
    Jul 18 2026

    As the AIDS epidemic touched more and more lives, people looked for ways to help. Liz Page answered that call.


    As a volunteer-turned-staff member at AIDS Action Committee, Liz used her talents for events and fundraising to help create Artcetera and launch the first AIDS Walk Boston—bringing a community together when it was needed most.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    35 mins
  • The Women Who Stayed Episode 6

    The Women Who Stayed Episode 6
    Jul 10 2026
    Amihan Jennifer Matias shares her perspective on the HIV/AIDS epidemic through the lens of community, culture, and advocacy. Drawing on her work with Boston's Asian American and Pacific Islander communities, she reflects on breaking stigma, building trust, and ensuring that no one was left out of the response.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    40 mins
  • The Women Who Stayed Episode 5

    The Women Who Stayed Episode 5
    Jul 3 2026
    As the AIDS epidemic unfolded, the AIDS Action Committee grew from a small grassroots organization into one of the nation's leading AIDS service organizations. While Larry Kessler became the public face and visionary of the organization, Cheryl Schaffer was building it from the inside—creating the infrastructure, supporting its staff, and leading with compassion and unwavering commitment.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    35 mins
  • The Women Who Stayed Episode 4

    The Women Who Stayed Episode 4
    Jun 26 2026
    A friend's AIDS diagnosis changed the course of Melba Martinez's life. In this episode, she shares how that personal experience inspired education, service and advocacy for Boston's Latino community during the AIDS epidemic.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    24 mins
  • The Women Who Stayed Episode 3

    The Women Who Stayed Episode 3
    Jun 19 2026

    Today we are talking to Linette Liebling. Linette was born in Brooklyn, New York and has always had a deep passion for social justice and a commitment to work for a better world.


    Linette began working in Public Health in the early days of the AIDS crisis starting in 1984 when she first joined the AIDS Action Committee - one of the organization's first four employees. She then served as the AIDS Coordinator for the City of Boston under Mayor Ray Flynn.


    Here’s Linette’s story.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    28 mins
  • The Women Who Stayed Episode 2

    The Women Who Stayed Episode 2
    Jun 12 2026
    In the early 80’s, the City of Boston had one of the first - if not the first - AIDS Coordinators in the country. And that is only one of the roles Annie Silvia held. This is her story.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    36 mins
  • The Women Who Stayed Episode 1

    The Women Who Stayed Episode 1
    Jun 5 2026

    Today, on the 45th anniversary of the first reported AIDS cases, we launch The Women Who Stayed featuring Sally Deane, the first Director of Fenway Community Health Center.


    In this opening conversation, Sally reflects on the early years of the AIDS epidemic in Boston, the challenges facing healthcare providers and patients, and the extraordinary women who stepped forward as caregivers, advocates, and community leaders during a time of crisis.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    38 mins