Walk a Mile in Her Shoes

The following stories were published in The Courier on March 6 and 30, respectively. I encourage you all to participate and support these events, as well as other efforts that raise awareness of rape, sexual assault and gender violence.

As a shoe nut, I can't think of a better event.

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Men Prepared to 'Pump It Up'

Women are willing to suffer through so much for the sake of style and beauty, including wearing high-heeled shoes that look great but are not exactly comfortable. If only men could experience what it's like to have their toes crammed into the narrow end of a pump, while gravity pushes the toes in a little tighter with each stride on a 4-inch heel. Now, they can.

On April 25, men clad in red high-heeled shoes will parade through downtown Findlay as a fundraiser for Open Arms Domestic Violence and Rape Crisis Services.

The event, of course, is not intended to raise awareness of women's shoe discomfort, but of sexual assault and domestic violence, which continues to thrive in the Findlay area. It is part of Walk A Mile In Her Shoes, an international men's march to stop sexual assault and gender violence.

Walk A Mile In Her Shoes was founded in 2001 with the idea that men must be part of the solution to end sexualized violence. Walks have been held in growing numbers around the country each year since. So far, 84 walks have been scheduled in 2009, including Findlay's.

To participate in the Findlay walk, men will pledge to walk a one-mile route, starting at Dorney Plaza and looping around downtown Findlay while wearing specially-designed "men's" 4-inch red high-heeled shoes. Each participant will contribute a $20 registration fee and will also collect pledges, with all proceeds going to Open Arms.

Open Arms will order numerous pairs of specially designed "men's" red, high-heeled shoes for participants to wear. The shoes, provided through the Walk A Mile In Her Shoes organization, come in men's sizes 12-17.

Men who raise $200 or more in pledges will have their registration fee waived. The registration fee is $10 for students and for men who can supply their own shoes.

Registration will begin at 10 a.m., with an opening ceremony at 11:30 a.m. and the walk starting at noon. Awards will be presented at 1 p.m., and will include prizes such as "best legs" and "best strut."

Organizers plan to make the event a family-oriented affair and hope men will walk with their sons while female family members cheer them on. Companies, schools and organizations are also encouraged to enter teams.

While it will be primarily a men's event, women may also register and walk for pledges.

Vendors will sell refreshments along the route, and fun items such as flip-flops will also be available for sale for walkers who just don't think they can walk the entire route in heels. Family-oriented activities are also planned throughout the day.

The march will replace Open Arms' birdhouse auction as the agency's sole fundraiser for the year. A goal has not yet been determined.

Open Arms provides programs, services and resources to those affected by domestic violence and sexual assault and also provides a safe environment for victims in crisis situations.

Domestic violence affects one in four women nationwide. Last year, Open Arms fielded 574 calls to its crisis hotline. Shelter was provided to 85 adults and children and the rape crisis program served 487 individuals through emergency room visits, individual support, crisis calls and prevention presentations.

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BU Walk Set to Protest Gender Violence

BLUFFTON — The "Walk a Mile in Her Shoes" event, being hosted by Bluffton University's social work department, will be held today on the university's campus.

Men will walk one mile in high heeled shoes to protest rape, sexual assault and gender violence. The march will begin at 6 p.m., with registration starting at 5 p.m. at the Bluftton University Track and Football Stadium. Walk-in registrations are welcome.

Men will be encouraged, but not required, to walk in women's shoes. Participants will be asked to donate $10 per team member. High heels in all sizes will be available to those who don't have there won.

Proceeds from the event will benefit Crossroads Crisis Center's violence prevention efforts and rape crisis services in northwest Ohio. The center, located in Lima, provides safe and confidential emergency shelters, along with several advocacy programs for women and children. The center can be reached by calling 419-228-4357.

Comments

[Lables]

By housing any needy violence victims Open Arms provides a sense of hope for all the people who care about the victim. Personally, I know someone who went to Open Arms after several family problems and I was comforted knowing that she was safe there. One of the major issues she said that Open Arms encountered was the finances of providing for so many people. By raising money through this walk, they are not only helping their cause, but bringing families together as well.

[CC]

I think this is a great event. Walking a mile in heels shows men how it feels to wear heels. But that is not the purpose of the event. Though this is a good fun way to get a very serious point across.

[FearTheRoo]

There are numerous events around the globe that are put on in order to accomplish a very serious goal. The goals that these various events reach are to are spectacular. And it's nice that people can find a fun, humerous way to support the event.

[C.J.]

I think it is great that Findlay is able create these types of events. It creates awareness and offers help for those who have been victimized in the past. While it is a serious subject, it is nice that people can still have fun while being educated about such a dark subject matter.

[WistfulWriter]

When I first read this article, I had asked myself: "Are the participants having fun and being educated on the matter, or just simply having fun?"

I have never attended one of these events, though I would like to one day. But I have participated in the annual "30 hour famine" that my Church hosts every February. It's a very fun event, with music, worship, and activities. But we are also introduced to the seriousness of the event, particularly when doing volunteer work for the local soup kitchen.

So are these kinds of events just composed of people with fun in mind? Not at all. I would like to thank these people that participate in such events, and urge them to continue their efforts.

[kgibson28]

I think that making men part of the solution to this problem is a big step. Women tend to stick together on issues like this, but we rarely see the men supporting this problem. I think it is a great way to raise money because it is fun and a family event.

[kd]

I agree. All of these events are a wonderful way to raise awareness, while also having an enjoyable time.

[swilkins]

This sounds like a fun and original way to raise awareness of abused women. I appreciate that these men are participating in this event. Still, I can't help chuckling thinking of these men walking in high heels.

[burns_girl]

These events are a good way to raise awareness for grim causes but often lack publicity. Before reading the article I did not know there was a fundraising event planned in April. The first step in preventing abuse is raising awareness and informing the public of upcoming events.

[Emily]

I absolutely love the idea that men will wear the four inch heels to raise awareness of sexual violence. I think it is a very creative way to help a cause. I had no clue that they even had such events. It should be an entertaining event to see, i'm excited.

[Leah]

I think this event is a great idea. Any guy who does this event while wearing heels is truly a man. I think it is a smart and creative event. In order to get the point across, both genders need to stand up against rape, sexual assault, and gender violence. It can be done if both genders work as a team.

[Rebecca]

Woo-hoo! I just got asked to judge the Findlay walk. "Best legs" and "best strut." Oh, yeah.

[Lys]

I think this event is also a great idea. Not only are the men out there helping the fundraiser for open arms domestic violence and rape crisis services but they are experiencing the difficulties women have in walking in high heels.

[Maddie]

I think this event is a great idea! It is fun while raising awareness for a very serious act, sexual violence. I appreciate the men who are taking part in this event, women who have been abused or people who know others who have been abused may be able to take a little comfort in knowing there are men out there willing to stand up for them. I hope this event carries on for many more years!

[Dink22]

I'm just glad we live in a society where people are willing to take time out of their lifes to help make the place just abit better.

[Frederick1]

Events like this warm my heart. Having a good time while also having a purpose is wonderful.I think it is great that men take the time to raise awareness about sexual assult and domestic violence.

[Brittany]

I think it's great that men would walk a mile in high heels. It shows they care, and it will get a good point across.

[Nike Running Shoes]

Thank you for revealing! The goal of your blog is to report your life and give your thoughts. Several concept are usually specific with me but rather different. What you would like to deliver to the modern-day community, I believe I have already been known that. As long as many of us do very well and think that.