This article was posted with written permission from Dorian Mitchell of the Kent County News.
Walking a mile in her shoes
By Dorian Mitchell/The Kent County News
CHESTERTOWN — Male Washington College students and faculty got in touch with their feminine side for a good cause Monday, April 20, as they donned bright red high heels and participated in the fifth annual Walk a Mile in Her Shoes.
Organized by the Alpha Chi Omega sorority and Theta Chi fraternity, the participants walked from Martha Washington Square at the college, down Washington Avenue to Fountain Park, to raise awareness of sexual assault.
Before the walk, senior Alex Salisbury, philanthropy chairman for Theta Chi, said this year’s turnout was “up there and pretty good.” However, he also had no illusions about the journey.
“Oh, it’s going to be painful,” Salisbury said. “No doubt about that.”
A member of the Kappa Sigma fraternity, junior Stephen McFall said he expected the walk to be “rough” and that he planned on falling a least a couple of times.
Female students also participated in the mile and offered encouragement to their male counterparts. In Fountain Park, Alpha Chi members lined up in a gauntlet that high-fived and cheered on the walkers as they entered.
A participant who just finished the trek said it was “probably one of the hardest things” he’s done in his life yet.
After everyone had completed the walk, Washington College Director of Wellness and Prevention Education Lauren Gibson held a talk that focused on breaking stereotypical gender roles, how most men aren’t aware of the steps women go through to prevent sexual assault from occurring, the seriousness of sexual assault and the importance of raising awareness about it.
In an telephone interview Tuesday, April 21, Heather Morris, director of student activities at Washington College, said the event had more than 50 participants and raised more than $655. She said the proceeds will be donated to For All Seasons Inc., a behavioral health and rape crisis center serving the Mid-Shore.
She also said this year’s event was sponsored by the Soroptimist International of Kent and Queen Anne’s Counties.
“I think it’s a great program that helps open the eyes of what women go through every day,” Morris said, referring to Walk a Mile in Her Shoes. “While it’s funny to see men walk downtown in red high heels, it’s also important to get a sense that sexual assault is a crime that affects everyone, not just women.”
For more information, visit www.walkamileinhershoes.org.
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