Tip for walking in heels!

With only one week to go before Toronto takes steps to end violence against women.. we thought we'd post  these tips for how to walk in heels, by Frank Baird -founder of Walk A Mile in Her Shoes®

Tips for Walking in Heels

• Now that you’ve got altitude, it’s important to accessorize your heels with some attitude! Stand tall and poised, shoulders back, chest out, back straight, butt tucked under. Think Marilyn. Monroe, not Manson.
• While standing still, place weight on heels using toes for balance. Don’t wobble. If you start to fall, fall gracefully and roll, shoes in the air. Do not break a heel. Do not take anyone down with you.
• Walk with feet positioned straight, toes pointed forward. Heels should be vertical to the ground, not horizontal.
• Walk placing one foot in front of the other with a smooth, even stepping motion beginning at the heel and rolling to the toe. Primarily walk on the balls of your feet, using the heel for balance. Think runway model, not truck driver. Suck in your cheeks. Face cheeks, not butt cheeks.
• Keep legs parallel and close together. It’s more stylish and when one leg starts to slide one way and the other the opposite way, you’ll have time to recover or get help before having to return to Tip #2 above.
• Move your hips and swing your arms for balance. Swing your arms. Do not flap them. You cannot fly, though with shoes like these you’ll feel like you can soar.
• Walk with confidence, stay focused, and be mindful of your steps without watching your feet.
• When climbing stairs, make sure both sole and heel land together firmly and simultaneously on each step. When descending stairs, only the sole of the shoe needs to be planted on each step. Avoid walking up or down any stairs.
• Avoid walking on ice, slush, mud, grass, sand, gravel and grated surfaces. When in doubt, take off your heels and carry them, crossing such treacherous surfaces in your bare feet. Dangle both shoes in one hand, hooked to your index and middle finger. Do not clutch them. They are not a football.
• Stick together. Use a friend as a crutch.

Councillor Mike Layton WAMbushes Councillor Josh Matlow

On Friday September 16, 2011 Toronto City Councillor Mike Layton WAMBushed Councillor Josh Matlow to "Step Up" and join him on Sept 29th 2011 to Walk A Mile in Her Shoes® an fundraiser to support the White Ribbon Campaign and it's work to end violence against women. http://youtu.be/avonWb7bH8Y   For more info walkamiletoronto.org

What Does Walk A Mile in Her Shoes® Toronto Support!

All of the funds raised through Walk A Mile in Her Shoes® Toronto go to support the necessary work of the White Ribbon Campaign.  Last year the event raised $121,000 to assist the programs of the White Ribbon Campaign and its mission to create a future without violence against women. What is the White Ribbon Campaign (WRC)? The White Ribbon Campaign (WRC) is the largest effort in the world of men working to end violence against women.  Now in over sixty countries, volunteer campaigns are led by both men and women at a grassroots level.  Across Canada our focus is on engaging youth on the issue of gender equality, respect and healthy relationships so as to build character and create good citizens.

   Accomplishments with limited resources

With a Staff of 5, a few volunteers, a donated office space and no core funding; WRC now supports activities in over 60 countries, works in communities in the GTA and across Canada, advises the United Nations and many governments and NGOs on how to work with men and boys to end gender based violence. Last year WRC distributed approx. 200,000 white ribbons globally. Connected with over 4,000 youth in the GTA – a 400% increase from previous years Provided technical assistance and consultation to the Secretary General at UN, and the governments of Cape Verde, Mexico, Brazil, Nepal and many others. 291 physical Campaign’s in a Box distributed for use with 8-14 yr old students. 300 educators trained. An increase of 65% over the previous year.

What is the goal of WRC?  How is this accomplished

The main goal of WRC is ending violence against women in all its forms. We accomplish this in five ways: Challenging everyone to speak out, and think about their own beliefs, language and actions. Educating young people, especially young men and boys, on the issue through the educational resources we produce. Raising public awareness of the issue. Working in partnership with women’s organizations, the corporate sector, the media and other partners to create a future with no violence against women. Supporting White Ribbon Campaigns around the world. Violence against women in Canada is alarming! • Every minute of every day, a Canadian woman or child is being sexually assaulted • Half of Canadian women (51%) have experienced at least one incident of physical or sexual violence since the age of 16 • Physical and sexual abuse against women costs Canada $4.2 billion each year (factoring into account social services, shelters, criminal justice, productivity, and health care interventions).

Awareness and Prevention the Long Term Solution

Violence against women is a real issue here in Canada - White Ribbon Campaign is doing something about it! White Ribbon Campaign is the only national organization working on the prevention of violence against women by positively engaging young men and boys, educators, parents and communities on the role and responsibility they can play. We have a specific focus on investing in youth and harnessing the positive roles that parents, coaches, educators and community leaders play in promoting gender equality, respect, and healthy relationships.    Our grass roots approach inspires individuals and communities to action, while supporting them with the necessary outreach tools to provide a lasting long term solution. OUR PROGRAMS - Part of the Solution! It Starts with You It Stays with Him This United Nations recognized program is an online-based campaign developed by the White Ribbon Campaign and Le Centre ontarien de prévention des agressions to inspire men to promote healthy equal relationships with the boys in their lives.  It is aimed at coaching boys (age 8 – 14) into manhood through an internet based, social media awareness campaigns and a comprehensive supporting website that encourages, empowers, inspires, and supports men in valuing women as equals, showing empathy, and teaching the skills and benefits of healthy and equal relationships to the young people in their lives. www.itstartswithyou.ca Education and Action Kit •          A teacher resource on gender inequality, healthy relationships & ending violence against women •          Reached over 3000 schools in Canada & United States •          An Independent evaluation in 2004 showed  "strong evidence that the Education and Action Kit effectively influences teenagers' attitudes, knowledge, and behaviour regarding violence against women.“ •          Available in 4 versions: High school, middle school and both in Canadian & US editions Campaign in a Box •          Ready to use educational activities for teachers and community leaders •          Social norms tools that address the gap in perceived and real group norms of how youth feel about violence against women, gender equality and healthy relationships Boys Conference •          An annual conference in partnership with the Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario •          Takes place in the GTA, and 6 other communities in Ontario with hopes to expand across the country in the future. •          Bring boys together to discuss issues of equality, respect, and healthy relationships. •          Full day event approx 100 boys aged 10 – 14 from 10 different schools •          25 teachers were present and attended a workshop on the WRC and using our materials in the classroom. Public Awareness – Choices Campaign •          Through provocative campaigns we encourage men and boys to think about their use of language, and of their definition of strength •          Designed to confront men with use of language and the meaning of symbols about which their choices make a difference in ending violence against women •          Designed to bring men closer to appreciating the conditions and fear of violence that women live under International Network – MenEngage •          Working on the Steering Committee of an international network to address working with men and boys to end gender based violence •          Founding members include: Engender Health (USA – South Africa), Instituto Promundo (Brazil), Save the Children (Sweden and Denmark), Sonke Gender Justice Project (South Africa), SAHAYOG (India), White Ribbon Campaign (Canada), Planned Parenthood International (London, UK) Making Positive Change Together We believe that by focusing our efforts on educating young men and boys we will make a positive change in their development to being men.  Men that do not use violence toward women.  Although specific projects may be supported by the government, we do not receive any core funding support from any level of government. We rely solely on individual and corporate fundraising, project specific government funding, and our own fundraising events like Walk A Mile In Her Shoes®

By participating in Walk A Mile in Her Shoes® you are helping to fund these project and activities of  the White Ribbon Campaign and together we are creating a future without violence against women.  

THANK YOU!

Why I Walk by Kirsten Walkom

Why I Walk….

On January 28, 2010, I lost someone very important to me.  She was a friend, confidante and sister.  On January 28, 2010 someone else selfishly decided that he had the right to take her away from us, yet we are the ones who suffer for it.

I have always viewed myself and my friends as smart women.  We live our lives, but are cautious of our surroundings. We walk each other to the car, text when we get home and choose safe destinations.  As women, this is what we’ve been taught to do. 

My friend was a very smart woman and made the right choices.  In 2009 she decided to purchase her family home and live there alone.  This was her home, the one her father had built, where she played outside, where she and her brother held their mother’s hand when their father passed, where she had her first kiss, first sleepover and first real independence.  It was her’s and she felt safe there.  He took that away.

I have been told that the propensity of “stranger crime” is significantly less likely than that of someone you know. Which is why when my friend went missing, my friends and I willingly turned over every inch of her private life.  We provided details only friends would know, sought out people we barely knew and questioned those we did. 

On February 7, 2010 our worst fear came to light. My friend had been brutally assaulted, abducted and murdered, by a complete stranger.  She was gone.

For the next year we constantly found ourselves bombarded by the truth; the truth of his heinous crimes and the truth of our grief.  In October 2010, we all sat through a week of horror, only five feet away from him.  We listened to the torture he had not only subjected our friend to, but other innocent women as well.  All I could wonder was, why?

In November 2010, I walked into the White Ribbon Campaign office armed with a goal and desperately begging myself to hold it together, be the “professional Kirsten” that I knew I could be.  Within five minutes at White Ribbon I recognized that “why” didn’t matter.  He did not deserve my questions.  No answer from him as to “why” would ease my pain or bring her back. The real question was how.  How could I overcome my fear, my pain, and my anger?  How could I make a difference?  The how was sitting directly in front of me.

I walk because I believe women have a right to live their lives and still be safe.  I walk because I allowed him to let me question myself and my world.  I walk because I refuse to let him win.   I walk for all victims of gender-based violence. I walk because the White Ribbon Campaign educates men and women on gender equality, leading to a life without violence.  I walk for the strong men and women in my life. I walk for my partner who is a good man and has supported me no matter what.   I walk for those who can’t. I walk for the strength it gives me; strength my friend would applaud.  I walk because I will always walk for her.  I walk for me.

Walk a Mile in Her Shoes gives men and women a chance to make a difference. I encourage you to go to: http://www.walkamiletoronto.org/ and join me!