High heels and high Hopes: Walk a Mile in Her Shoes returns
Domestic violence awareness event requests community support due to funding cuts
By DON WILBURN
donaldfwilburn@gmail.com
There’s nothing like a bunch of grown men wobbling around in stilettos to get people talking about an important issue. The annual “Walk a Mile in Her Shoes” event hosted by Families in Transition (FIT) is set for Saturday, April 5, and will take place at its new location, Hightower Park, on the east end of Broadway in West Memphis.
Last year, hundreds of Crittenden County residents showed up to support the cause, with many men bravely, yet not very gracefully, taking on the challenge of walking a mile in high heels. This year’s event promises to be bigger and better, despite recent funding cuts to FIT that have made community support even more critical.
What started in 2019 with only 50 participants has evolved into a full-scale festival, complete with food trucks, vendors, live music, a bouncy house, food competitions and more. Shawna Rhinehart, a local hotel owner and board president of FIT, has been thrilled to see the event’s growth.
Among last year’s participants was Marion local Robert Thorne Jr., who took on the challenge in black highheeled boots. Running most of the mile around the park’s lake, he admitted to feeling the pain but said it was worth it.
“I chose to participate in this great cause because it allowed me to give back in a small way to a very valuable resource in this community that provides support to the women, men, and children who have been victims of various types of abuse and homicide,” he said. “It was a privilege to hear the speakers’ stories and educate myself more on why this festival was put on and what FIT looks like in our communities.
See WALK, page A2
Many of the participants complained of throbbing feet after the event last year but all involved agreed it was worth it.
Photos by Don Wilburn
Although the walk features men in high heels to raise awareness, everyone is invited to attend the free event.
From page A1
Actually putting on a pair of heels and walking was de_nitely tough but I was proud to say I _nished not falling once! I look forward to next year!”
FIT is a non-pro_t organization that provides anonymous services to those experiencing domestic violence, human traf_cking, sexual assault and teen dating violence. Their 24-hour crisis hotline can be reached at 870-732-4077. If the hotline is down due to inclement weather, assistance is available through Facebook Messenger or by calling 901833-0815, 901-422-1793, or 901-422-3514. In life-threatening situations, individuals should call 9-1-1 and seek immediate assistance from local law enforcement or medical services, who can then connect them with FIT.
