Celebrating 10 Years with SMART

1998

SMART University starts: the first group of women graduate

1999

April SMART Action Demonstrates in Philadelphia, New York,and Washington D.C. for HIV medication in Africa

Rosa’s “Healthy Eating Class” started in the middle of Founding Director Susan’s living room and kitchen and served as the precursor for the SMART Body program

2000

SMART becomes incorporated on January 31, 2000 as Sisterhood Mobilized for AIDS/HIV Research and Treatment, Inc.

2001

SMART and its two founders Susan Rodriguez and Petra Berrios receive the Union Square Award

2002

SMART Voices begins with the guidance and instruction from the organization Voices Unbroken

2003

SMART Sewing Circle was started to provide a therapeutic and supportive space for SMART Women. It was first held in the offices of Children’s Hope.

2004

Jane Friedman, Director of the Friedman Foundation, provides substantial funding to secure permanent office space for SMART and to start the SMART Body program

SMART hires first full-time employee (Yolanda Diaz)

Susan Rodriguez becomes Community Spokesperson for M·A·C AIDS Fund

2005

SMART Youth Begins: 1st Annual Halloween Party for youth living with or affected by HIV/AIDS

2006

SMART Youth presents at the Global Village at the International AIDS Conference in Toronto, Canada.

2007

SMART Youth hosts two workshops: Mask-making with the Museum for African Art and Dance Performance with the United States Tournament of Dance, Inc.

World AIDS Day Event at SMART: International Artist Teresita Fernandez leads women and youth in global Peace Tile Project

2008

SMART Arts & Crafts becomes SMART Art

SMART becomes a project of the Fund for the City of New York

SMART celebrates 10th Anniversary