BETH AND RUSS MILHAM, residents of Newport, were recently presented with the 2025 Hope Harris Award by AIDS Project Rhode Island. The award, named in memory of an AIDS Project Rhode Island board member, is given annually to individuals or organizations exemplifying service to the communities the organization serves and unwavering dedication to the fight against HIV/AIDS. The Milhams have spent decades not only helping to organize AIDS Memorial Quilt displays but also bringing individual panels into classrooms as a tool for HIV/AIDS education.
What does receiving the Hope Harris Award mean to you both?
RUSS MILHAM: This is a huge and humbling honor for us. We were not blessed to know Hope Harris personally, but we knew her from her powerful reputation as a highly effective advocate for all the causes that we espouse. And we have known most of the past recipients of the award. They’re all people that we’ve long admired and respected, and we’re honored to be counted among them.
What was your impetus in getting involved in AIDS-related causes? Did the disease impact you both in some way personally?
BETH MILHAM: We both became involved through our professional lives – I as an RN [registered nurse] at a substance use disorder clinic and Russ as an academic adviser at a community college. Through our work, we came to know the people who were applying for chapter status in The NAMES Project, the national organization for the AIDS Memorial Quilt, in 1991 and we have been working with and for the Quilt ever since. We’ve both served on local and statewide committees advocating for HIV education and services, and we both earned certification as pre- and post-test counselors. We’re still fortunate not to have lost any family members to HIV/AIDS, but we’ve lost many, many treasured friends over the years.
Beyond your work with the AIDS Memorial Quilt, what other initiatives have you helped advocate for and support?
BETH MILHAM: We have long been allies to the LGBTQIA+ community, testifying on behalf of legislation for LGBT civil rights and same-sex marriage bills. Through the Quilt, we’ve supported all the AIDS services organizations, and we’ve promoted HIV prevention education in schools, community centers, houses of worship and health facilities.
We’ve also been active in efforts to protect the environment since the 1970s, and Russ has been volunteer advancement coordinator at the Rhode Island local, district and council levels of Scouting America since the 1970s.
Are you both working on new initiatives over the next 12 months on various causes? If so, what are those initiatives?
RUSS MILHAM: We’re well into our 80s now and although we’re slowing down some, life keeps moving on and keeps us moving with it. I continue to help young men and women become Eagle Scouts. Beth tries to keep up with social and environmental issues, especially on the local and state level. Both [of us] remain staunch advocates for the LGBTQIA+ community, and [we] both remain active in [our] faith community.
