Great Bay, -HIV/AIDS Programme Manager, Suzette Moses-Burton on World AIDS Day, December 1, 2009 received the Juanita Altenberg Award for Excellence from the Caribbean Vulnerable Communities Coalition (CVC). This announcement was made on World AIDS Day by Dr. Robert Carr, Executive Director of CVC.
According to a release from CVC Dr. Carr stated that “Moses-Burton stood out in the region as a defender of the human rights of persons living with HIV and AIDS. She has worked regionally to help set up national groups and to build the capacity of members of people living with HIV community.” Additionally she has done extensive work with members of other populations most at risk for HIV, the release further quoted Dr. Carr.
The release also made mention that Moses-Burton on the international scene is well respected as an activist who is unapologetic in making her demands on behalf of the communities she serves, as she has lobbied with many different groups, such Caribbean Parliamentarians, international AIDS programs managers and funders.
Juanita Altenberg, for whom the award is named, is described as a pioneer in the Caribbean region in HIV Advocacy, Care, Treatment and Prevention for communities both hard hit by the HIV epidemic and by social stigma and exclusion. In addition to her serving as the Executive Director of Maxi Linder, one of the region's most respected leaders in services to most vulnerable populations especially sex workers, Altenberg also served as the Founding Co Chair of the Board of the CVC which now names this award in her honor in order to celebrate her work.
Moses Burton stated “This is not just an honour, but a humbling experience to have the work that I do acknowledged by my peers in the fight against HIV in the region. There are others in my opinion far more deserving of this award; however I thank CVC and its members for this recognition.”