“Walk A Mile in Her Shoes” Annual Awareness Event, April 30

On Wednesday April 30, 2014, Southwestern Oregon Community College (SWOCC) will host “Walk a Mile in Her Shoes: The International Men’s March to Stop Rape, Sexual Assault and Gender Violence”.  Co-sponsored by The Zonta Club of the Coos Bay Area, the march benefits the Women’s Safety & Resource Center and raises awareness of rape, sexual assault, and gender violence.  Inspired by the saying that you can’t understand someone else’s experience until you’ve walked a mile in his (or her) shoes, men will literally walk one mile in women’s high heeled shoes!  All men (young and old) in the community are invited to join the March! Bring a pair of ladies heels, preferably RED (a limited amount of shoes will be available) and come to the SWOCC campus, gathering in Henry Hanson Union Square.  Registration begins at 11:30. Speakers will speak at 12 pm and the walk will begin at 12:15 pm. Refreshments will be provided and lunch will be available for purchase.  If you’re not able to walk, please come support and cheer on the walkers! Women and children are encouraged to attend as well.  Cash donations for this event are greatly appreciated and will go to help survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault at the Women’s Safety & Resource Center.  You can mail donations to the Women’s Safety & Resource Center at 1681 Newmark Ave., Coos Bay, OR 97420 or bring your donation to the event.  For more information about the walk please call Stephanie at the Women’s Safety & Resource Center 541-888-1048, or visit Southwestern’s web site at www.socc.edu.  If you would like to purchase a pair of Red Shoes for the walk ($45/pair), or donate money towards the shoe fund, please contact Margaret Melvin at margaretkmelvin@frontier.com.  More information about the national “Walk a Mile in Her Shoes: The International Men’s March to Stop Rape, Sexual Assault and Gender Violence” can be found at www.walkamileinhershoes.org.