Walk a Mile in Her Shoes: Marching to raise funds, awareness

Jannie Nell, 20, of Augusta demonstrates some nimbleness in his heels while participating in Tuesday's Walk a Mile in Her Shoes at Georgia Southern. Red pumps are the symbol of the annual event. Nell was walking with Sigma Chi fraternity, which was one of several organizations participating.

W strut.jpg — Jannie Nell, 20, of Augusta demonstrates some nimbleness in his heels while participating in Tuesday's Walk a Mile in Her Shoes at Georgia Southern. Red pumps are the symbol of the annual event. Nell was walking with Sigma Chi fraternity, which was one of several organizations participating.

You just don't get it until you've walked a mile in someone else's shoes. Or so the saying goes.

Around 300 men gathered at Georgia Southern University Tuesday to help us all understand and be aware, and encourage communication about gender relations and sexual violence.

The annual Walk a Mile in Her Shoes event brings men from GSU and the community together to walk in heels to draw attention to the serious causes, effects and remediations to men's sexualized violence against women. The men are encouraged to walk 1 mile in red high heels, although other colors are accepted.

Every 2 minutes in America, someone is raped, and one in six women are victims of sexual assault, according to the Walk a Mile in Her Shoes event website. That means that someone you know or care about has been the victim of sexual violence. And sexualized violence doesn't just affect women. It also affects the men who care about them, as well as their families, friends, co-workers and communities.

The Statesboro event, which raises funds for The Teal House Statesboro Regional Sexual Assault and Child Advocacy Center, also featured an information session in the Russell Union about the impact of sexual violence and gender relations.

Jamal Wright, 23, of Hinesville, center, receives a plus-size pair of high heel pumps from Taylor Hicks, right, while fellow Sigma Lambda Beta members Dennis Gordon, 20, far left, and Jay Patel, 19 chuckle as they prepare to participate in the Walk a Mile in Her Shoes event. The international program raises awareness about gender relations and sexual violence. Nearly 1,000 shoes have been purchased with donations and grants for the annual event.

W get shoes.jpg — Jamal Wright, 23, of Hinesville, center, receives a plus-size pair of high heel pumps from Taylor Hicks, right, while fellow Sigma Lambda Beta members Dennis Gordon, 20, far left, and Jay Patel, 19 chuckle as they prepare to participate in the Walk a Mile in Her Shoes event. The international program raises awareness about gender relations and sexual violence. Nearly 1,000 shoes have been purchased with donations and grants for the annual event.

Georgia Southern quarterback Shai Werts grimaces as he removes his pumps after participating in the event.

W QB grimace.jpg — Georgia Southern quarterback Shai Werts grimaces as he removes his pumps after participating in the event.

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