Alpha Chi Omega sorority hosted Walk a Mile in Her Shoes on Monday to help spread domestic violence awareness. The walk went through Fredonia Avenue and parts of campus.
According to Grace Elisco, Alpha Chi Omega’s philanthropy chair, the walk both helps a good cause and brings positive attention to their sorority.
“It is not fundraising. It’s all awareness,” Elisco, a junior business management and leadership double major, said. “The fact that we walked across campus brought attention to the cause and to Alpha Chi in general and what we do.”
Walk a Mile in Her Shoes has been an event Alpha Chi Omega brought back from a brief hiatus of one year. This is their event that involves males walking in high heels.
“The males who do participate and wear the high heels get to see what it’s like to be in a physical sense in our shoes,” Elisco said.
Even BUPD Lt. Sean Savage strapped on heels for the cause.
“That was not a pleasant experience by any means,” Savage said. “But every time my toes went numb or I almost crashed on the sidewalk, I thought about why all of us were there and kept on with my not so graceful walk.”
For Alpha Chi Omega, this event helps empower women and spread domestic abuse awareness during October, which is national domestic violence awareness month.
“I think society views women sometimes in a demeaning way, so it’s to change people’s perspective on women and recognize us as strong individuals and not the weaker sex.”Elisco said.
Additionally, Walking a Mile in Her Shoes promoted Alpha Chi Omega and how they make an impact on the local community. The sorority worked closely with the center for prevention of abuse to fundraise for the organization.
“The best part about this event is being able to make a direct impact into the lives of those who are members of Alpha Chi, who participated in our event and making an impact on the community as well,” Elisco said.
