Since its inception in June 1996, and its receiving its 501(c)(3) recognition from the Internal Revenue Service in early 1997, Women On Maintaining Education and Nutrition has provided support, advice, referral, education, and nutrition for people infected and affected by HIV/AIDS/STD's. Concerns for "at-risk" individuals, community members in middle Tennessee, and surrounding area are also addressed. Additionally, issues involving both sexes, young and old, are handled. The residents in this area that have taken advantage of our services have been, on average, young women ages 11-19, women ages 20-65, men ages 11-19 and men ages 20-75. African Americans, people of color, and women have dominated our outreach efforts. Public housing, low-income housing, under-served, and under-represented populations sites located within middle Tennessee have been a high priority for our outreach and will continue to be.

Women On Maintaining Education and Nutrition has had a positive influence on over 20,000 at risk women, youth, and other individuals with HIV prevention education, training, or counseling since 1996. Its Executive Director, and others, has represented Women On Maintaining Education and Nutrition across the country through television, newspapers, books, video, prevention education, and other forms of awareness. W.O.M.E.N is aware that with the resurgence of crack cocaine, heroin, and other intravenous drugs, rates of STD's HIV infection and re-infections are expected to greatly increase within our target populations of women, youth, and families.

Historically, our experience has found that the growing rates of HIV infections among minority women have created a burden on families that are often already impoverished. The majority of women living with HIV/AIDS resides in poverty and struggles with complex economic issues as a result of homelessness, substance abuse, immigration status, discrimination, economics, gender disparities, mental health disorders, and violent relationships. Most of their energy is spent meeting basic needs such as food, housing, and employment for themselves and their families. These basic needs take precedence over any health problems, including HIV/AIDS. In addition, many women of color distrust the medical system or the entire health and human service infrastructure because of prior negative experiences.

W.O.M.E.N.'s Executive Director has represented the agency in such countries as Switzerland, Poland, and Thailand. In these countries the focus has been HIV/AIDS education, STD's, prevention, awareness, gaps in services, governmental issues, growing rates of worldwide infections amounts women, and gaps in treatment (i.e. clinical trials/vaccines) for women and families. Women On Maintaining Education and Nutrition intends to continue its outreach efforts abroad and has worked with UNAIDS in those efforts.

Women On Maintaining Education and Nutrition is a rising organization with interests in race relations and reconciliation between races, abuses of all kinds, addictions and treatment, women and family empowerment programs, male and female cancers, family unity, and world interest. Each program established within Women On Maintaining Education and Nutrition will hold these truths in their development and practices.