Erin Barnett '09 won an Honorable Mention - Long Form Award in the 2010 Student Documentary Competition of the Broadcast Education Association for her work, “My Name is Anita," a film she produced as a student to introduce viewers to an HIV/AIDS activist in Namibia.
The communications major and sociology minor while at Elon learned of her recognition on Friday in an email that invites her to receive the award in person in April at the BEA Faculty and Student Documentary Competition and Awards and Exhibition in Las Vegas.
The film follows Anita Isaacs’ life and trials, unveiling her ill-fated yet empowering experiences with AIDS, which she contracted from her husband. It starts with Isaac’s involvement in the Namibian War for Independence and then follows her path towards taking the national stage in AIDS activism.
Throughout the documentary, Isaacs talks about her personal battle with gender inequality. She speaks out about her verbally abusive husband and her regrettable persistent denial of the virus due to well-ingrained social stigma.
Elon’s relationship with Isaacs dates to 2003. The activist has visited the university twice and has done public speaking for the community.