Put yourself in her shoes

Men, put away those Nikes and find a pair of pumps, because it's time to walk a mile in women's shoes.

That's right, the high-heeled kind that make women several inches taller.

In two weeks, men will actually walk one mile inside Sherwood Mall in Stockton, raising money for the Women's Center of San Joaquin.

The inaugural April 12 Walk a Mile in Her Shoes event, recognizing Sexual Assault Awareness Month, is open to all men but will feature some public figures, including Sheriff Steve Moore.

"Sexual assault and domestic violence are major actions in our community, and we need to do everything we can to stop it," Moore said.

Other walkers include Sheriff's Capt. Eric Holman, Stockton Fire Division Chief Ed Rodriguez, Deputy District Attorney Michael Mulvihill, as well as a number of law enforcement officers and firefighters.

Each participant pays a $25 entrance fee and then raises money, all of which goes to the Women's Center, said Irene Camy, who is helping organize the event.

When they register, men can indicate whether they plan to bring their own shoes or if they need shoes, which is where the community can also help: The Women's Center is collecting shoes, size 11 and up, for the event.

Some men will probably take the easy way out by wearing the lowest heels possible, Camy said, but some are already talking about the pumps they are determined to wear.

"I don't think the men realize what it's like to walk a mile in heels," Camy said with a laugh.

That's the point of the event — to get people thinking about life from the perspective of others. People don't really want to talk about sexual assault, Camy said, but it happens all too often.

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The event starts at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 12, at Sherwood Mall on Pacific Avenue in Stockton. All proceeds go to the Women's Center of San Joaquin, which provides numerous resources for victims of sexual assault and domestic violence.
To register, donate or get more information, go to www.womenscenterofsjc.com and click on the picture of the red shoe, or call 941-2611.
The group is also collecting slightly used or new women's pumps and needs sizes 11 and up. To donate shoes, which will be donated to the community after the event, take them to any Women's Center, including the Lodi office at 29 S. Washington St. They may also be dropped off at the Stockton offices of Sen. Michael Machado and Rep. Jerry McNerney; addresses and other locations are listed on the Web site.
For more on the national Walk a Mile in Her Shoes program, which started in 2001, visit www.walkamileinhershoes.org.
— News-Sentinel staff.About Walk a Mile in Her Shoes:

"The purpose is to get people talking about sexual assault awareness, and let them know that the Women's Center can help," she said.

Of course, it will also provide entertainment for those who attend the 8:30 a.m. walk, and Moore knows it. Moore does have a limit — he's not going to wear shoes that could endanger him, and he doesn't plan to wear tall heels because he doesn't have the "special skills" needed to walk in them.

He told area chiefs and, though none of them seemed to be too keen on participating in the walk, they did donate.

"The bottom line is it's all being done in support of the Women's Center," Moore said. "If members of the community who are in leadership positions can't take a little chiding, that's too bad."

Of course, Moore said that two weeks before the walk, and he's already getting a bit camera shy.

He's not alone, though.

More than 75 such walks are in the works; this weekend alone walks are being held in towns ranging from Plymouth, N.H., to Lubbock, Texas, to Redding. Stockton's event is one of at least nine being held around the country that day.

Contact reporter Layla Bohm at layla@lodinews.com.

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