October 19, 2011
‘Walk a Mile in Her Shoes’ set for Oct. 22
CARBONDALE, Ill. -- Men will be sliding their feet into stilettos at Southern Illinois University Carbondale on Saturday, Oct. 22, to raise awareness about domestic violence and take a stand against the problem.
The University’s Interfraternity Council is presenting “Walk a Mile in Her Shoes,” a men’s march against sexual assault and violence beginning at Shryock Auditorium. The event is also a benefit for The Women’s Center. Registration is at 9:30 a.m. with instructions a half-hour later. Beginning at 10:30 a.m., participating men will tuck their toes into the high-heeled footwear and march to the pavilion in downtown Carbondale.
A Speak Out Against Sexualized Violence rally is set for 11:30 a.m. downtown and survivors of domestic violence from The Women’s Center will speak. Rachel Griffin, assistant professor in speech communication at the University, will also address the crowd.
Everyone is welcome to attend but it’s the guys who will be walking the walk in heels. Men can still pre-register at http://fsl.siuc.edu/ or by emailing Tyler Chance at tychance@siu.edu or Andy Morgan at amorgan@siu.edu. Or they can sign up until 9:30 a.m. on Saturday in front of Shryock Auditorium.
The event and participants still need sponsors, too. A $25 contribution provides a T-shirt and lunch. Proceeds go to The Women’s Center.
The event features raffles, music, food and the opportunity to learn more about sexual assault and violence while helping an organization dedicated to fighting domestic violence and sexual assault against men, women and adolescents. And, you get to see men tottering atop tall shoes.
“Not only does domestic violence affect an individual physically, but mentally as well, and it can affect the people close to them, too. Although our primary goal is to raise awareness, our secondary goal is to help raise money for The Women’s Center in Carbondale. The center’s mission is ending domestic violence and sexual assault and it provides shelter, counseling and other services to help victims get back on their feet. Everyone can help take a stand against domestic violence but it starts with you!” said Ryan Reed, president of the National Pan-Hellenic Council, a registered student organization at SIU Carbondale.
For more information about Walk a Mile in Her Shoes, contact Reed at ryreed@siu.edu, Chance at tychance@siu.edu or Morgan at amorgan@siu.edu or by telephone at 618/453-5714.