In her shoes for a cause

-Sabrina Brown

*****The writer is a student in Comm 240 news Reporting.*****

On Monday, March 3, the Fort Hays State University Interfraternity Council hosted the 6th Annual Walk-A-Mile in Her Shoes event in Cody Commons inside the Memorial Union.

Walk-A-Mile is an event welcoming males to participate in a mile-long walk in high-heels to raise funds and awareness about domestic violence and abuse against women. Registration was $15 and included a T-shirt.

At the event men wear high heels rather than sneakers for a significant reason.

“There is a symbolic nature to men and the public sees that…There are extra burdens that women carry with them because they are at a greater risk of gender violence,” said Curt Brungardt, Voss distinguished professor of leadership studies and one of the speakers of the event.

Brungardt and his wife, Christie Brungardt, assistant professor of leadership studies, co-founded a national organization called Jana’s Campaign, after their daughter, Jana Mackey, was murdered by her ex-boyfriend.

Curt Brungardt said Jana’s Campaign “tries to prevent gender-based violence before it happens.”

Unlike years past when the mile-walk took place around the FHSU campus, this year’s walk took place inside the Memorial Union due to harsh weather conditions. The event began with several keynote speakers who stressed the importance of the walk in relation to domestic violence and abuse against women.

“I want to bring awareness to men that this is a careless social disease that has inflicted the world,” Curt Brungardt said. “Men need to hold their male counterparts accountable [for their actions].”
In support of Curt Brungardt’s statement, the Interfraternity Council donated the funds raised from Walk-A-Mile to two local organizations, Options Domestic and Sexual Violence Services and Jana’s Campaign. This year was the first time Jana’s Campaign received donations from the event, and totaling $875.

“We support Walk-A-Mile in Her Shoes because it is an awareness program,” Curt Brungardt said.

Joshua Maples, graduate assistant for greek life and leadership, said the event will be held again next year because of its importance. “You can’t understand another person’s struggles unless you have walked a mile in their shoes.”