ODU Sets Record for 10th Anniversary of Walk a Mile in Her Shoes
March 28, 2018
By Noell Saunders
Old Dominion University's men tottered around Kaufman Mall wearing all sorts of colorful pumps, boots and wedges on March 27 to help raise awareness for ending sexual violence against women at ODU's 10th annual Walk a Mile in Her Shoes event.
Twenty people are physically abused by a partner every minute in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That equates to more than 10 million male and female victims every year.
Old Dominion President John R. Broderick said Walk a Mile in Her Shoes started with about 50 people and has grown to record numbers. This year, close to 500 students, faculty and staff members participated - the largest turnout ever.
"I think all of us are sick and tired that we have to come out each and every year in greater numbers to try to raise awareness of what we know is something in society that's intolerable and unacceptable," Broderick said. "Let's continue to work so that someday we don't have to gather for events like this because this societal menace will eventually be in our rear-view mirrors."
During the event, ODU's Alpha Kappa Lambda chapter presented a check to the YWCA of South Hampton Roads for $320 as part of a four-year initiative called "These Hands Don't Hurt." The fraternity partners with ODU's Women's Center every year to raise awareness about relationship violence by asking members of the campus community to donate $1 and commit their hands to never hurting anyone.
La Wanza Lett-Brewington, director of the Women's Center, awarded eight men medals of appreciation for demonstrating their commitment to ending violence and exemplifying the Women's Center mission in their communities.
"These men have volunteered their time and talent over and above to help the Women's Center and women in general in taking a stand against violence. We appreciate their efforts," Lett-Brewington said.
The Walk a Mile in Her Shoes award recipients were:
- Alan Haber, president of Alpha Kappa Lambda
- Montae Taylor, president of ODU's NAACP chapter
- Sai Ratnakar Nidumolu, president of ODU's Indian Students Association
- Officer Tommy Evans, ODU Police Department
- Jarious Hillman, wellness ambassador for Health Promotion
- Christopher G. Bailey, assistant professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
- Steven Bookman, university archivist for ODU Libraries, and;
- Kendall Coburn and Markell Hill, members of the Women Center's Man of Quality group
