Oranjestad
Aruba
L.G. Smith Boulevard west of Valero gas station Aruban Red Ribbon since 29 June 2011
without names
Wednesday, June 29, 2011, the Women's Club of Aruba revealed the AIDS Awareness Red Ribbon on the site of the Valero gas station at the LG Smith Boulevard in Oranjestad. A very strategic place and clearly visible to all traffic in both directions. The project came about after 7 months of negotiations with government agencies such as Department of Public Works, under the leadership of WCA President 2010-2011, Mrs. Camila Henriquez, assisted by Mrs. Bernadette Schouten and Mrs. Rubia Maduro. The ribbon is made of recycled material by Mr. Jan van Duren and stands three meters high. Prior to the ceremony, the ribbon was covered with a sheet, which was inscribed by many visitors to the AIDS Memorial Quilt Exhibition of 1996 in Aruba, their thoughts and sympathy reflected. The nameplate underneath the ribbon shows the logo of the Women's Club and the text: "STOP AIDS, KEEP THE PROMISE, 25 years AIDS Awareness in Aruba, June 04, 1986 - June 4, 2011".
At the opening, WCA President Rubia Maduro spoke about the long desire of the club to have a Red Ribbon placed on a public road, to bring community awareness regarding the contagion risks with the HIV-virus. A previous similar iron red ribbon was mobile and could be moved and exhibited at all AIDS events. Thanks to the management of the Valero Oil Refinery and the management of the Valero Boulevard, the WCA succeeded in placing this monument on the site of the gas station.
For the Women's Club of Aruba, working for 25 years in the field of HIV/AIDS awareness, it was a true pleasure to see their work rewarded by the placement of this Red Ribbon monument. During the opening a plaque was presented to Mrs. Marie Therese Croes. Mrs. Croes was honored for her tireless work as co-founder of the AIDS commission 25 years ago and it is still the driving force behind numerous campaigns of the Women's Club in the area of HIV / AIDS.

Women's Club of Aruba