Can you walk a mile in her shoes?

University of Oregon women and men alike donned heels to walk a mile on Friday, May 31 with the members of the sorority Alpha Chi Omega (AXO) to help spread awareness against domestic violence. The sorority’s philanthropy Walk a Mile raises money for the local non-profit Womenspace.

In 2018, Womenspace helped around 1,500 adults and 1,500 children survivors of domestic abuse find safety, hope and healing. Womenspace Development and Resource Director Kim Lax spoke at the event and said, “We have six locations, an emergency shelter and a turning point program where advocates work with survivors to help get them back on their feet for two years.”

Although this year’s philanthropy was not as successful as last years, Colette Mardirossian, event organizer and Vice President of Philanthropy, estimated that 250 people attended and around $3000 was raised. “This year’s philanthropy was still a success even though I didn’t receive as much participation as I wanted.” Last year’s attendance reached approximately 500 people. Colette added “People enjoyed themselves [and became] educated on domestic violence… all of these aspects make it a success.”

Heels are seen as a representation of what it is like to walk in a woman’s shoe. AXO Member Yaritza Gruber said, “It’s a play on the phrase ‘You don’t know a man’s life until you walk a mile in his shoes’ and turns the attention onto women. Heels represent the various social expectations and presumptions about women that allow for a culture of abuse,” she added “the objectification of women leads to dehumanizing women.”

During the walk, some students chose to wear their own heels and others borrowed bigger sizes provided by the sorority. They walked a mile from campus to the chapter house, where they could grab provided catering of Dutch Brother’s rebels and Krispy Kreme donuts and explore resources about domestic violence.

According to Colette, “The relationship between Oregon AXO and Womenspace is that we support Womenspace financially, as well as help them educate Eugene and the University of Oregon community through our events and tabling. We work together for a common cause in hopes that domestic violence can be eradicated.”

Before the start of the walk, Kim Lax said to the crowd, “Your sorority rocks, you’ve helped raise over $30,000 [through the years.] We are honored to be partnered with your sorority and thank you for partnering with us.”