On Tuesday, Oct. 8, students gathered outside of the Harmar House to stand against domestic violence. Walk a Mile in Her Shoes is the international men’s march to stop rape, sexual assault, and gender violence, first created in 2001. The event is a dramatic approach to raise awareness for domestic violence, where students are encouraged to walk a full mile in a pair of high heels. Though walking the mile in their own shoes is adequate, walking in a pair of high heels gives an opportunity to actively confront gender stereotypes and expectations. This year, the event was organized by Title IX and the Center for Diversity and Inclusion (CDI).
Title IX Prevention and Event Coordinator, Dawn Corwin, estimated participants at around 30 to 40 students throughout the day. Corwin explained that by 1:30 p.m., there were already 3 men who had accepted the challenge. “Basically, we’re encouraging anybody to come out and do a walk in high heels from our location outside of the Harmar House to the Admin and back; it’s about a mile.”
Donations for the Barbara Kettle Gundlach Shelter were also accepted throughout the day. The Barbara Gundlach Shelter is a non-profit organization that offers a safe space for victims of domestic violence. Donations included hygiene products, adult and youth socks, cleaning supplies, and journals. Tech’s support for the Barbara Gundlach Shelter is long-standing; Mary Niemela, the Executive Director at the Barbara Kettle Gundlach Shelter, estimated that annual collections have occurred for about 12 to 15 years.
For more information on the event or the event’s supporters, please visit the websites listed below.
