Penn State students are taking physical steps to end domestic violence once and for all. Sisters on the Runway: Penn State will be holding their third annual “Walk a Mile in Her Shoes” event this Sunday, October 23 at 1 p.m. The event will begin at the Delta Upsilon Fraternity House on Locust Lane and will serve as a conclusion to Sexual Violence Awareness Week.
For those who may be unfamiliar with this event (Walk a Mile-type events occur nationwide), participants quite literally walk a mile on a predetermined route while wearing heels. All proceeds go directly to the Centre County Women’s Resource Center which serves as a shelter for victims of domestic violence here in State College. Participants can pay at the door, and the cost is $5 with heels or $10 without heels.
Senior and organization president Layla Taremi is looking forward to having the largest Walk a Mile yet for SOTR. “This year, we are partnering with both DU and AKL,” explained Taremi. “By having boys and girls alike sharing the unique experience of walking around town wearing heels, it is conveyed that we can understand each other’s different situations. It symbolizes that we care.”
Sisters on the Runway: Penn State is part of the national Sisters on the Runway organization that has several chapters nationwide. Domestic violence and abusive relationships are not easy to talk about, but by encouraging the removal of the stigma that surrounds these issues and providing people with resources, SOTR is making a tangible difference in our community and beyond.