Teeter-totter: 143 USU men in high heels Walk a Mile in Her Shoes
April 16th, 2011 Posted in Arts and LifeLOGAN—April is domestic violence awareness month and SAVVI wanted everyone to know it.
They were helped get that message out by scores of male USU students who paraded around the Quad in high heels on Wednesday, some in short shorts, chanting, “No means no!”
The event, Walk-a-Mile-in-Her-Shoes, raises awareness and money to help victims of rape, violence and domestic abuse through SAAVI—the Sexual Assault and Anti-Violence Information office at Utah State.
According to Kathy Teeter, a SAAVI staff assistant, this year’s high-heeled march raised some $1,200, which goes directly to take care of victims.
Some 143 USU men strapped on women’s shoes, from stiletto heels to sandals and wedges for the cause, along with their “blister sisters,” who were there to support and cheer on the boys, Teeter said.
Volunteer Aimee Ward, 24, loves to see the men wobble and wince the mile perimeter around campus from the Taggart Student Center, up the Quad and back.
“It has been interesting listening to their comments,” she said. “Some are really enthusiastic and running all over in their high heels. It’s a great way for us to take a stand and get people aware of what’s going on in society.”
Also volunteering in the event were 75 high school students, members of a group called CHAMP—College High School Aggies Mentoring Program. CHAMP coordinator Jenny Erazo said these students spend their day on campus attending classes, taking a campus tour and volunteering or getting involved in some way around campus.
These students are identified as being high-risk, and the program is meant to show them that a college education is obtainable for them. Volunteering to help in SAAVI’s event was a fun way to show the students all the great things that happen on campus and things they could potentially be involved in, said Erazo.
Walk-a-Mile has been an annual event at USU for six years, and is essential to support SAAVI programs, Teeter said.
TP
Tags: SAAVI, sexual assault, Walk a mile
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