I've been a nonfiction freelance writer since 1981. My short stories have been published in inspirational magazines in the United States, Canada, and Italy. After receiving a B.S. degree in Education from Keene State College, Keene, NH, I taught elementary school for several years. I don't think I could have picked a more rewarding profession. I also enjoyed teaching piano to children and adults for 26 years.



I've spoken professionally about my book and the AIDS pandemic. In my talks I have included how I overcame adversity in my life. I have also appeared on television and radio. It was also an honor to give the keynote closing address to 800 students at a high school when the AIDS Memorial Quilt was on display.



I volunteered with the NAMES Project and appeared on stage announcing names from the AIDS panels displayed on the Ellipse in Washington, D.C. "A Burden of Silence" has been placed on the Hospice and Palliative Care International recommended reading list by Director, Roger Woodruff, M.D., Melbourne, Australia. Hospice nurses showered my mother with love and care during her last weeks. Her special hospice nurse was someone she could share her secret with.



As an avid AIDS activist, I'm eager to heighten AIDS awareness through the media, schools, churches and other organizations. Education is the key to preventing further HIV infections. I address an issue people feel uncomfortable talking about. Yet, throughout the world, 8,000 people die daily from AIDS. My mission is to get the message out to the public so people will know the facts.



We don't want our children coming to us and saying, "Why didn't you tell us all the facts? Why didn't you stand up and do something to end this pandemic?"  



History will judge us on how we respond to the AIDS pandemic. So far, it won't judge us kindly.      

Accepted into the National League of America Pen Women
Second Prize winner for a Memoir in the National League of American Pen Women Contest in Florida.
I have won several contests for my stories published in newspapers.
My short nonfiction stories have been published in the U.S., Canada, and Italy.

On April 23, 2009. I spoke about HIV/AIDS and the AIDS Memorial Quilt to over 1000 students at Timberlane High School in Plaistow, NH. I had spoken to the Timberlane High School students in March of 2006 when Mom's panel and many others were on display in the gym. Gave presentation on George Gershwin to the Vero Beach Branch of the National League of American Pen Women.

About Nancy A Draper
An author must write what he/she is passionate about. As an AIDS activist, I attempt to educate people about HIV/AIDS. My reason for writing "A Burden of Silence" was to give my mother a "voice" she felt she never had when battling the disease. My mother suffered in silence because she feared rejection. No one should have to feel that way. We must end the silence and complacency and begin shouting about AIDS. It has been called the greatest humanitarian catastrophe of our time. The media failed to write about the epidemic in the early 1980s. The government also failed to address HIV/AIDS in the initial stages of the pandemic. Thus, AIDS got out of hand. Now we are paying the consequences. Every 6 seconds someone in the world is infected with HIV. We must act up, heighten awareness, and promote education to prevent further infection. Comprehensive AIDS education programs must be put in place. More television and movies must be made about HIV/AIDS. We can't let people forget that this killer disease is still here and shows no signs of slowing down. When we stop talking about AIDS it tends to get ignored. We must remember that AIDS is a preventable disease.

Fear of stigma leads to silence
My website with information about my book and TV and radio appearances.

Recent Activities
In March of 2006, I spoke to 800 students at a high school about the AIDS pandemic. I also volunteered with the NAMES Project in Washington, D.C. calling out 900 names from the 1000 panels displayed on the Ellipse in front of the White House. On April 23, 2009, I gave the keynote address at at Timberlane Regional High School in NH. The students were able to see a portion of the AIDS Memorial Quilt. Hopefully, the 1000 students I spoke to will remember my words and how important it is to be sexually responsible.