Ruth’s Cottage and the Patticake House host Walk a Mile in Her Shoes at ABAC

TIFTON, Ga. – High heels are not just for the runway, as men of Tifton strap on a pair for a cause.

Ruth’s Cottage and the Patticake House hosted their Walk a Mile in Her Shoes event at ABAC. Young men put on a pair of heels and even women joined them in the mile walk in support of women who have suffered from intimate partner abuse.

“This is the last of the events of October, which is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. We start the month with a somber event where we remember the hundreds of people that have died in our state in the past year due to domestic violence incidents, including babies all the way up to the law enforcement officers and all sorts of people. And, it affects all races, all ethnicities, all economic statuses. There’s no exemption for domestic violence. And, tonight’s event, which is fun, but it is a great way to end the month on a note of this is funny to watch men walk in heels, but there is a big meaning behind it,” said Nancy Bryan, Executive Director, Ruth’s Cottage & the Patticake House.

The men who donned high heels walked 3 laps around the ABAC front campus circle, holding signs with messages aimed at ending intimate partner abuse and redefining masculinity.

“It was painful. The first one I was feeling good, the last two were a little dicey. I am very against domestic violence. Domestic violence is bad and I think everyone should speak on it actually,” said Bryson Grantham, ABAC Agriculture Business Major.

Before the walk began, the men in attendance recited a special pledge, promising to speak out against and help end intimate partner abuse.

You participate in creating a community that no longer tolerates intimate partner violence? I will.

Do you place to further your knowledge and understanding of this issue and the responses it requires from the community? I do.

Will you make a commitment to never use or justify the use of emotional, sexual, physical, or economic abuse against an intimate partner? I will.

By example in leadership will you teach the strength in manhood are not defined by violence and domination? I will.

Will you speak out even when it is more comfortable to be silent and join with other men across our differences? To speak with one voice, to say no more? I will.

De’Andra Jacobs reporting.

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