Plymouth State University held a “Walk a Mile in Her Shoes” event on Saturday, April 5.
Despite the cool weather, over 250 people walked to raise awareness for the prevention of rape, sexual abuse and gender violence. About thirty-five people from the community and campus volunteered. “Walk A Mile in Her Shoes” events are held internationally throughout April. The March was originally created to be a Men’s March. Men were supposed to wear high-healed shoes and walk a mile to raise awareness for rape.
The marches were first organized in 2001. Since then, marches have spread internationally, most being held in April. So far for 2008, over eighty marches have been scheduled.
“This is the first year PSU has hosted “Walk A Mile in Her Shoes,”‘ University Police Officer Jennifer Frank said. Frank coordinated The March for PSU. This March is “The first in this state for this year,” Delilah Smith, the director of the SAGE center said. Smith worked very closely with Frank while developing The March for PSU.
Often times, “Walk A Mile in Her Shoes,” marches are held on college campus in order to instill peaceful ideals from a young age.
“Its great that it [the march] takes place on campus – the sooner we get to people, the better it is,” Susan from Voices Against Violence said. She declined to give her last name due to the nature of her work.
Voices Against Violence is a national organization created to give support to those suffering from violence. Men were not required to wear high-healed shoes for The March held at PSU.
The Men’s Hockey team participated this year to increase awareness of rape, sexual abuse and gender violence.
“We’re happy to be here-any time an event like this happens, we are happy to come and help. We are here to stop [abuse] and to support it [Walk A Mile In Her Shoes], Chris Chambers, sophomore member of the Men’s hockey team said.
Scores of men signed up to walk in the event. Women marched to show their support as well.
“We are here to support the cause,” Kate Pacheco, a captain of the women’s lacrosse team and junior at PSU said.
The walk took a lot of handwork and planning, “From start to finish, it took about a year to plan,” Frank said. Frank had assistance from other groups in the area as well.
“We worked with Voices Against Violence,” she added. Two volunteers from Voices Against Violence distributed blue ribbons to walkers as a way to show support for the cause.
Greek organizations also helped out with the walk. The Delta Zeta sorority marched in the front during the walk.
“I worked with Officer Frank and kept in touch with all the Greek Organizations on campus,” Cortney Chartier, a senior and member of Delta Zeta said. About thirty girls from Delta Zeta walked.
Frank was impressed with the turnout of the event, “We had an absolute incredible turnout from the community and the university,” Frank said.
“The event was a tremendous opportunity for us to speak out against violence against women,” Frank said.
At the conclusion of the event Frank thanked all those who helped make the walk a success, “I thank both the Greek organizations and the athletics teams that are out,” Frank said.
“Walk A Mile In Her Shoes” walks will have a permanent home on campus from now on, “Without a doubt this will be an annual event,” Frank said.