This morning’s big entertainment news was the death of actress Elizabeth Taylor, who died due to heart failure at the age of 79. The actress, who will be well-remembered for her roles in classic films like Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, her passion for jewelry and her eight marriages, was also a tireless advocate for AIDS-related causes. In fact, you’ve likely walked past one part of Taylor’s charitable legacy several times — the Whitman-Walker Clinic named their treatment facility at 1701 14th Street NW in Taylor’s honor in 1993.

Whitman-Walker’s executive director Don Blanchon released a statement mourning Taylor’s death this morning:

“Elizabeth Taylor was the first major Hollywood star to take up the banner of HIV/AIDS activism,” said Clinic Executive Director Don Blanchon. “At a time when most Americans thought of HIV/AIDS as something that didn’t affect them, her commitment to the issue and considerable star power helped to take the fight against HIV/AIDS right into the mainstream of American society. Her dedication to raising money along with awareness has helped to save countless lives both by helping to treat people living with the virus and by preventing new infections.”

“Because of her dedication and commitment, Whitman-Walker named our main facility in northwest Washington after her in 1993,” said Blanchon. “Her dedication to the cause led her to be her personally for the dedication. That kind of commitment exemplifies why she was so important in the early days of the fight against HIV/AIDS. We will ensure that she is remembered not just for her career but for her unwavering support for a community and a cause that, in the early days, many would not touch.”

The Elizabeth Taylor Medical Center offers primary medical care, an HIV clinic, pharmacy services, pre- and post-natal care and many other services to anyone, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity or HIV status.