On Tuesday, April 7, Texas A&M University-Kingsville’s Student Health and Wellness Center held the annual Walk A Mile in Her Shoes event at 12 p.m. This event was to bring awareness against gender violence, violence against women and sexual assault.
“This event makes people aware of trauma that happens not only in our campus but across campus, across the country,” student counselor Raegan Dershem said.
Male students, most from Greek organizations, wore high heels and walked down University Boulevard, marched into the Memorial Student Union Building and into the pavilion.
“I’m doing this event to keep the message going because I think that it is very important to not only educate us, but to educate everybody,” Alpha Sigma Phi member Alejandro Garza said. “It doesn’t matter what gender you are, just keep the message going, it is one of the biggest issues that we are still facing today.”
The heels were donated from students, the Purple Door Organization and the rest were bought. Each participant chose from the selection of shoes that fit them best.
“Just like in the name says ‘Walking A Mile in Her Shoes’ knowing that women go through a lot, and for men to be able to put themselves in our position for a little bit,” student counselor Synthia Garza said. “It’ goes deeper than putting the shoes on.
About 15 to 20 students, male and female, attended this event holding signs with statements such as “Men Against Rape,” and “I am man enough to walk a mile in her shoes.”
“It’s important because this is an opportunity to educate a student of other issues that are surrounding their community, their nation as a whole,” Director of Student Health and Wellness Jo Elda Castillo-Alaniz said. “Coming together helps individuals think about the change we can make if we just listen, support each other, and do what’s best to take care of each other.”
