Description

Blackburn Center Presents "WALK a MILE in Their HER His Our SHOES"

 to End Gender-Based Violence

(Greensburg, Pennsylvania) On Saturday, April 23, 2022, Westmoreland County’s 11^th annual awareness-raising event, WALK a MILE in Their HER His Our SHOES will kick off at St. Clair Park in downtown Greensburg.  Men and women, families, community leaders, survivors, students, and pets from across Westmoreland County will step out in their favorite pair of heels (or any other shoes!) to make a commitment to end violence against women, girls, and people of all genders.  Together they will join their voices in speaking out against the social norms and attitudes that perpetuate gender-based violence, including sexual assault, domestic violence, and stalking.

Each year, women, children and men come together to participate in the Walk.  Many of the male walkers choose to wear high heels, to take an extra step in understanding what women experience every day. Walking in heels is a symbol of the difficulties and challenges that women face. This includes being on guard against the possibility of a sexual assault, experiencing sexual harassment, dealing with the aftermath of violence in their home, and for some, walking the path of healing following an assault.

When male walkers wear high heels at this event, they are asked to do so in the spirit of the Walk. Wearing high heels is not meant to mock women who wear high heels, glorify masculinity, or make a statement that only women can or should wear high heels. Blackburn Center strongly affirms the right of all people to express their gender in whatever way they choose.

Blackburn Center also recognizes that anyone can be a victim of gender-based violence. Issues such as domestic and sexual violence can affect anyone regardless of age, gender or gender identity, race, sexual orientation, religion, disability or economic status. The goal of the Walk is to raise awareness about gender-based violence in Westmoreland County and surrounding communities and to offer support to ALL victims and survivors.

Registration begins at 9:00 a.m., and the Walk itself will start at 10:00 a.m. If you cannot make it to St. Clair Park in Greensburg, walk in a location of your choosing and share your experience with others at #WALKBLACKBURN. Registration for the Walk costs $5 per person, and is free for children under 12 years old. You can learn more about the registration process at (https://www.blackburncenter.org/walk-a-mile-2022).

To pre-register and to learn more about the services provided by Blackburn Center, visit their website (www.blackburncenter.org) or you may call 724-837-9540, X 144.  Red high-heeled shoes will be loaned to male walkers, who are encouraged to register by April 1 to ensure that proper sizes are available.  In addition, walk-on registrants are welcome (though event planners cannot guarantee shoe availability).  Pets on leashes are welcome to join the event as well.

Inspired by the saying, “You can’t understand another person’s experience until you’ve walked a mile in their shoes,” men will literally walk the talk on April 23.  While the event promises to be fun, it is also an important opportunity for the community to commit to action to end gender-based violence.

Blackburn Center advocates for the rights of all individuals to live free from domestic and sexual violence and other forms of violence by eliminating root causes and providing for the well-being and safety of survivors/victims.  Their hotline number is 1-888-832-2272. # # #