SAPA’s fifth annual Walk a Mile in Her Shoes event raises about $1,300

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It’s not every day crowds of college men can be seen strutting in red high heels, but Wednesday night brought hundreds together for a cause.

About 200 guys limped, shuffled and strutted their way through nine laps around Finch Fieldhouse’s gymnasium during the Sexual Aggression Peer Advocates’ fifth annual Walk a Mile in Her Shoes event.

The participants took on the challenge of walking in heels to support women who have been victimized by sexual assault and raised about $1,300.

“For a guy to walk a mile in a pair of a women’s shoes is only the beginning of knowing the struggles that women go through,” said Wayne sophomore Jered Smart.

Heels are just another pair of shoes, he said of his women’s size 11.

“I can totally own this; it’s easy for me,” Smart said. “I’m a marching band member, so marching backward we’re on our toes, so I feel like that gave me a little bit of an ability to do it.”

SAPA member Andrew Slater said the heels were purchased off a specialty website for loaning out to the men because they had to buy such large sizes.

“We also have pink frilly flip flops in case we run out of the heels,” the Lansing graduate student said.

Perfecting a walk in heels provided more of a challenge for freshman Derek Susalla.

“Walking in the heels is extremely difficult. I didn’t think it was going to be this hard,” the Bad Axe freshman said. “But it’s a good time for a good cause and two of our (Beta Theta Pi) brothers are in SAPA, so we’re coming to support them and everybody involved.”

Sexual education and peer advocacy organizations outlined the course of walk with tables giving out information and free products.

The Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan shared information about domestic violence safety planning.

“We take care of residents who need to come in for shelter, counseling and provide services for them,” said Support Tech Carol Corbiere. “We’re trying to profile that there is help out there for people in distress who are needing to get back on their good way and move on from these kind of instances happening because it really can be devastating.”

The nine laps left sophomore Dan Milligan in pain and with future plans.

“My feet are killing me, and even though I did wear socks, I still have blisters,” the Riverview native said. “My toes are crushed; I don’t know how girls do this. But, I actually think I’m going to wear these out to Wayside Friday night to get the full experience.”