To continue with the explanation of our mural, the community of Harlem was particularly affected by the 1980's AIDS epidemic, the biggest victims being children and unborn babies. Harlem's pediatric AIDS rate was higher than any place in the nation. Since little was known about the transmission or effective treatment of the virus at the time, many people became infected after sharing needles during drug use and, in the case of women, passing the virus on to newborns through breast feeding.
Clara Hale had been living in Harlem since the 1960's, working as a domestic cleaner at night and taking care of foster children during the day in her small apartment. She witnessed firsthand the crisis taking place in her neighborhood and when her daughter brought her a baby found in the arms of a heroin addict at the park, she found it impossible to turn away. She quickly became known locally for her willingness to help and within two months, 22 drug infected infants resided at her home. Despite the general culture of fear about AIDS at the time, Hale was unafraid. She saw these "crack babies" as simply more children to help with her standard remedy of a song and a hug. Over the next decade, she would come to help hundreds more children and their parents, often fostering until addicted parents could successfully rehabilitate and then reunite with their families.
Her efforts earned her the nickname "Mother" Hale.
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