Saturday, April 22, marked a first for a handful of men as they walked a mile down Savage Avenue in bright red high heels. The fun, though painful, walk was part of a new event on the Lamar Community College campus: Walk a Mile in Her Shoes.
Walk a Mile in Her Shoes invites men to literally walk in women’s high-heeled shoes in an effort to raise awareness for and start discussions about gender relations and violence against women. LCC partnered with the Domestic Resource Safety Center (DSRC) to host the event in observance of Sexual Assault Awareness Month.
The walk began at the Betz Technology Center on the LCC campus, went down Savage Avenue and the returned to campus. Water and blister stations manned by LCC volunteers were available throughout the walk.
Men, women and children all came to complete the mile walk and raise awareness but only four brave men, all from the LCC Basketball team, completed the mile walk in heels. Gabriel Marner, Wayne Stewart, Ricky O’Kelley and Justin Holliday earned awards from Most Graceful to Best Teamwork and were treated to foot massages after the event, courtesy of the LCC Cosmetology program.
Attendees of Walk a Mile in Her Shoes were also invited to visit the display of t-shirts decorated for LCC’s inaugural Clothesline Project, bearing witness to victims and survivors of sexual and domestic violence. Nearly 60 t-shirts decorated with powerful messages of support for survivors of sexual assault were on display between the Bowman and Administration Buildings throughout the weekend.
According to the National Intimate Partner and Sexual Assault Survey, 1 in 2 women and 1 in 4 men in Colorado will experience sexually violent crimes in their lifetime. Events like this work to raise awareness of these staggering statistics.
“These two events are the beginning of a conversation on campus; a conversation that students who come to LCC can feel safe and respected, and can have a positive impact on those around them,” said Jenni Mortimeyer, one of the event organizers and HR Director at LCC. “Thank you all for your efforts at promoting holistic student success!”
For more information on the events, contact Jenni Mortimeyer at 719.336.1572 or jennifer.mortimeyer@lamarcc.edu.
About DSRC
Domestic Safety Resource Center is a nonprofit organization providing information and tools to prevent domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, and teen dating violence. Our agency covers four counties in Southeast Colorado which include Baca, Prowers, Kiowa, and Cheyenne. All our services are free and confidential. Bi-lingual services are available.