” On April 18th men sporting women’s footwear of every shape and style took to the streets of Akron in a one-mile march to raise awareness of sexual violence. The event, Walk a Mile In Her Shoes, was organized as a benefit for the Rape Crisis Center of Medina and Summit Counties and invited men to literally, and figuratively, walk a mile in their shoes.”
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On April 18th men sporting women’s footwear of every shape and style took to the streets of Akron in a one-mile march to raise awareness of sexual violence. The event, Walk a Mile In Her Shoes, was organized as a benefit for the Rape Crisis Center of Medina and Summit Counties and invited men to literally, and figuratively, walk a mile in their shoes.

Participants began meeting at 10:30am in the University of Akron’s Polsky building in downtown Akron. Some participants were members of larger fundraising teams and others had raised money on their own.

Matt Hayes of Tau Kappa Epsilon summarized the fraternity’s fundraising style, We tried to go to every fraternity and sorority and see if they’d donate money.

He goes on to say that they try and get everyone to get ten dollars, to donate or pay the ten dollars themselves.

This year, National Honors Society of Cuyahoga Falls made a donation in our name.

Joy Chicatelli, leader of the team Joy’s Boys found a harder environment for fundraising this year.

Fundraising was difficult, but we just really persisted, a lot of the businesses that were previously able to give us $100 last year were only able to kick in $25, but we were grateful for that, I think we just tried to really increase volume, and hit ask many places as possible.

Men from each fundraising team began fitting their high heels, platforms or other styles of feminine footwear. Some men came prepared with shoes they have purchased or borrowed, and others took advantage of a table of free shoes provided by the Rape Crisis Center.

Women supporting the event are not asked to wear any specific form of footwear and most opted for running or tennis shoes.

Once the teams had organized, Mayor Don Plusquellic spoke about his support of the event, showing off his flowery white flip flops he had been given for the march.

Richfield Police Chief, Dale Cantor, who delivered the keynote speech, followed Plusquellic.

March participants took to the streets to raise awareness for sexual violence.

One in three women will be sexually assaulted at one point in their life, said Hayes, so we believe more people need to know. This is our fourth year attending this, so we’ve been here from the start and every year we’re trying to get more and more people to come.

Joe Christy from Cuyahoga Falls High School echoed the importance of awareness, It’s a good cause; just letting everyone know, going back to high school it’s going to be in our yearbook, so everyone will start to find out. We’ll raise support.

Upon completion of the mile route, awards for the highest fundraising teams were announced.

The persistence in Joy’s Boys’ fundraising paid off with a winning total of $2,346.

The event concluded with extra high-heeled events including musical chairs and a dance off.

The Rape Crisis Center Of Medina And Summit Counties operates a 24/7 toll free hotline at 877.906.RAPE (7273).

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