Going the extra mile: Walk a Mile in Her Shoes raises awareness for domestic violence
Published 11:00 am Saturday, October 26, 2024
TIFTON — Domestic Violence Awareness Month events in Tifton ended Wednesday, Oct. 23, with what’s become a tradition at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, Walk a Mile in Her Shoes.
Nancy Bryan, director of Ruth’s Cottage and the Patticake House, talked about the serious events of the October commemoration: The remembrance of victims of domestic violence in a vigil, and the third Thursday of every October where purple is worn for domestic violence awareness. Wednesday’s event is also about awareness, but in a lighter way.
“This is funny to watch men walk in high heels,” said Bryan. “But there is a big meaning behind it.”
Bryan said no group is immune from domestic violence.
“It affects all races, all ethnicities, all economic statuses,” Bryan said. “There is no exemption for domestic violence.”
Before the walk began, emcee Chris Beckham of ABAC had participants take a pledge to become part of the solution to end intimate partner violence and take a public stand to end domestic violence and sexual assault. They were also asked to become part of a community that does not tolerate domestic violence, to further their own knowledge of domestic violence issues and how to respond and to never commit or justify domestic violence in any form.
Participants additionally pledged they would not stay silent, even when it was more comfortable to do so.
Following the pledge, Beckham gave tips on how to complete the mile. He said these came from experience.
Before the walk began, Bryan recognized several groups taking part, which included ABAC Ambassadors, Alpha Gamma Rho, and public safety officers from Tifton and Ashburn.
Three laps around ABAC’s front drive equal one mile. Some dared to run most of
it, others struggled to merely stay upright. A couple finished their walk in socks as three laps proved too much in heels. All were relieved to get back in their usual shoes.
Smarter walkers brought their own heels, or arrived early enough to have the pick of the shoes made available each year for Walk a Mile. Sizes go up to women’s 16 in the Walk a Mile bins.
Sponsors for this year’s Walk a Mile in Her Shoes were The Howard Center, City of Ashburn Public Safety, Southwell Physicians for Women and Tifton Business and Tax Services.