‘Walk a Mile in Her Shoes’ Raises Awareness about Sexual Assault and Gender Violence

Event to be held Wednesday, April 6, at The College of Wooster

WOOSTER, Ohio — The College of Wooster’s Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies (WGSS) Program will host “Walk a Mile in Her Shoes®” on Wednesday, April 6, to draw attention to the crises of sexual assault and gender violence.

The event, which features male participants marching across campus in women’s high-heel shoes, will step off from the Kauke Hall Arch (400 E. University St.) at 4 p.m. Everyone is welcome to provide support, either by sponsoring a walker, making a monetary donation, helping to plan the event, or simply attending. All proceeds will go to Every Woman's House.

“WGSS is pleased to have so many faculty, staff, and students participating this year — we have over 100 men who've signed up,” said Nancy Grace, professor of English and head of the WGSS program at Wooster. “ It is important to get the word out that men realize what an important role they play in stopping rape, sexual assault, and gender violence.”

Brian Cope, assistant professor of Spanish, will offer several brief remarks before the walk begins. “Violence against women is not just a women’s issue,” he said. “It affects all of us, and ‘Walk a Mile in Her Shoes’ is about taking a stand against violence toward women.”

One of the participants will be Henry Kreuzman, dean for curriculum and academic engagement at Wooster, who said, "’Walk a Mile in her Shoes’ challenges norms of behavior, which in turn can cause people to pause, listen, and think about the message. This event draws attention to sex-and-gender focused violence against women and men. The funds that are raised go directly to Every Woman’s House, which has an immediate and direct positive impact on the lives of children and women in Wooster.”

Also walking will be Kurt Holmes, dean of students, who said, “With all of the progress for equal access, equal pay, and equal treatment, it could be easy to forget that things are still not equal. There are double standards in this world, but events such as ‘Walk a Mile in Her Shoes’ are reminders that some of the differences are easy to see and to impact. We need to respect people as they are and support each other when change is necessary.”

Established in 2001 by Frank Baird, this international men’s movement is meant to end sexualized violence. “Walk a Mile in Her Shoes” events are intended to be political and performance art that involve every attendee, providing education and strategies designed to end sexualized violence. The proceeds from Walk events go to local rape-crisis centers, domestic-violence shelters, and other programs that raise awareness about these issues.

Male faculty, staff, and students of the College who wish to be participants may contact either Di Springer  or Nancy Grace. For more information, please contact Elizabeth Wall.