Walk-A-Mile 2024 Takes to the Streets

Students, families, seniors, and dogs gathered at St. Clair Park for the 13th annual “March to End Gender-Based Violence, Walk a Mile in Her Shoes” on Saturday, April 13. The event, hosted since 2010 by Blackburn Center, is designed to raise social awareness about and help prevent rape, sexual assault, domestic violence, and other forms of gender-based violence. In-person registration began at 9 a.m., followed by Blackburn speakers and music before the walk began shortly after 10 a.m.

As in years prior, the pre-walk presentations included a festive shoe contest, in which participants compete in wearing the most dazzling footwear, as well as a moment of silence to commemorate the deceased victims of gender-based violence. After all, footwear is especially symbolic for this march: Blackburn Center invites attending men to trade in their usual shoes for a classic red high heel representing the unique daily burdens and risks that women face.

According to Blackburn Center, “Wearing women’s shoes at this event is an opportunity for men to think critically about the path that women walk each day: in women’s constant vigilance about the potential of being assaulted when they’re on the street or in a dark parking lot … or, for some, in their own homes.”

The Greensburg community of all shapes, sizes, and origins came out to embody this message, including high school and university athletic teams (seen in photos: the Pitt Greensburg basketball team, Seton Hill spirit squad, and the Greensburg Salem high school football team), local and international nonprofit organizations such as Adelphoi, PFLAG, and Bikers Against Child Abuse, and countless individuals and families. 

Though focused on women as subject to gender-based violence, the impact of Walk-A-Mile is not limited to cisgender women or to those who identify as women. The Blackburn Center says the following:

“This is not intended to mock women who wear high heels, or to glorify masculinity. It isn’t meant as a statement that only women can or should wear high heels … It also isn’t meant to imply that only women can be victims of sexual or domestic violence — because these issues can affect anyone regardless of gender, race, sexuality, religion, or economic status. We do this walk to raise awareness about these global issues, and to help ALL victims of domestic and sexual violence.”

Gene Slusser, president of PFLAG Greensburg and attendee of Walk-A-Mile since the Greensburg march began, expressed the significance of Blackburn’s Walk-A-Mile message not only for women, but for the queer community as well.

“When we first started doing the Walk-A-Mile, they didn’t specifically highlight LGBTQ issues. So, over the years, they keep adding more and more information and services … They are such an amazing organization. They have a really good envelope of information, and we’re able to send those out when people contact us,” Slusser said.

Aside from providing information and help, Walk-A-Mile serves another distinct purpose: to gather and display solidarity for victims of violence. Donna Fischer, secretary of PFLAG Greensburg, hopes that events like this one can show real, tangible support for those who face these issues.

“If you feel like you’re all alone and you’re a victim of violence, it’s the worst place to be. But if you see other people, standing there, supporting you, it’s a ‘we-got-your-back’ kind of thing,”  Fischer said. “I think it is vitally important.” 

This year, registration was $5 and available both online and in-person at the march. If you’re interested in attending future events, making a donation to Blackburn Center, sponsoring a walking team, or spreading the word, visit Blackburn’s Walk-A-Mile page. For further information about Walk-A-Mile, visit their official website.

To consult Blackburn Center or acquire their resources, visit their home website or keep an eye out for their events and flyers on campus.