‘Walk a Mile in Her Shoes’ to raise awareness about violence against women
Photo by Public Opinion Online
Men walk in high-heel shoes during the Walk a Mile in Her Shoes sponsored by Women In Need in 2013.
(Chambersburg) — A group of men will get a taste of one of women’s many hardships by strapping on heels to literally take a walk in their shoes.
Next month men are invited to take part in the third annual Walk a Mile in Her Shoes event with the aim to raise awareness — and funds — on the issue of violence against women.
Women In Need is sponsoring the event, which will take place from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. May 1. Men are invited to put on a pair of provided 4-inch high heels and walk as an individual or team, beginning at the King Street Church.
In the past two years the event has raised $42,000. Organizers hope to collect $25,000 as a result of this year’s walk.
Registration for the event is open now. Those interested can apply online at www.raceit.com. Those interested can also download a registration sheet at www.winservices.org and mail the form with payment to WIN, P.O. Box 25, Chambersburg, PA 17201.
The cost is $15 per individual and $10 per team member (a maximum four members per team). Payments should be made out to Women in Need. Registration the day of the event begins at 5:30 p.m. at the King Street Church parking lot.
Marge Schollaert, an event volunteer, said she decided to put on the fundraiser after being inspired by other cities doing the walk.
“I saw on TV this walk a mile, It’s an international mens march and I thought it would be fun for us to do it here,” she said.
In particular, Schollaert said this event would bring men and women together on an important issue.
“I thought it was a good way to show sexual violence its not just a women’s issue,” she said. “Men, if they walk in women’s shoes that has been through that it’s kind of a way of demonstrating they are opposed to such a thing.”
According to the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence, 59 women were killed as a result of domestic violence in 2014. Thirty Eight men also were killed for a total of 97 deaths statewide — a decrease of 11 percent from 158 recorded deaths in 2013.
Of those 2014 deaths, two were recorded in Franklin County — one being the perpetrator.
For more information, contact Schollaert at 717-264-3394 or at schollaert@comcast.net.
This article comes to us through a partnership between Public Opinion Online and WITF.
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