As a daughter of a family physician, open and free dialogue about health was the norm in our household. In the mid 1980’s, I distinctly remember my Dad making us watch the CBS evening news broadcast with Dan Rather the night that he reported the discovery of AIDs. Not long after the news announcement, my Dad brought home one of the first ‘health class’-type videos made about HIV/AIDs for us to preview. The video’s aim was to dispel myths about contracting the disease and educate young people about prevention.
As a result my brother, sister and I find ourselves knowing more about the disease than most of our school teachers. In 1991 or ‘92, when I was in high school, we helped organize a school-wide forum on AIDs and invited a panel of three community members living with the illness to take/answer questions from students. It was one of the most transformative learning experiences of my life, as fear and ignorance were brought to light and collectively addressed in a way I had never witnessed.
Fast forward 5 years…I began working in the Gift & Home industry in 1997 as an employee of George Little Management (GLM). I was first exposed to the this great organization and cause when Jeff Little, President of GLM, was honored by Gift For Life that May at its annual Gala. The event, held at FAO Schwartz, left quite an impression on me. I was just out of college at the time, when, even within my age group, HIV/AIDs was still an uncomfortable, taboo topic that carried a variety of social stigmas. So I found myself profoundly impressed and moved by this industry-wide display of commitment to AIDs education, awareness and research…and knew I wanted to be a part of it.
In 2002, it was my great honor to join the GFL Board. I served as Vice Chair in 2005 and as Chair for 3 years. It is a tremendous privilege to count myself as part of this organization, its legacy in the industry and its unwavering pursuit of eradicating this terrible disease.
Tabitha Bowling
Vice President, Marketing
Bungalow LLC
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