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!

Where do I get the shoes to walk in?

One of the most common questions we get as the organizers of Walk a Mile in Her Shoes® is, "Where do I go to find shoes to fit me?"

We know it's not always easy finding shoes, especially if you are a man's size 10 and above.  So we put together a video of a recent shopping excursions to give you some help.  Near the end of the video we also give you tips and advice for when shopping for your shoes and how to help alleviate the potential fear and discomfort some men experience when out shopping.   

Walk a Mile in my Shoes! - by Andrea Waddell

When people tell me I shouldn’t go for a run when it’s dark outside (because I’m just ‘asking for trouble’ from ‘dangerous characters’), I usually respond with my fairly standard snarky retort: “Well, don’t you think these ‘dangerous characters’ you’re referring to are the ones that need to stay indoors?”

So when I was asked to write a piece on what it’s like to walk in my shoes, as a woman what precautions I take to remain safe, I didn’t expect the list to be very extensive. I’m not the paranoid type, and I’ve never been a fan of running personal surveillance on myself; having to plan my life around what ‘might’ or ‘could’ happen.  I still run late at night, have lived and traveled on my own, and so far, I’ve been lucky....

But despite my resistance, there are plenty of small precautionary measures I take to increase my odds of safety without sacrificing my lifestyle. These have become so habitual, to the point where I didn’t even realize the extent of them all until I started writing about it.

Here are just a few:

Walking alone late at night:

When walking late at night, I’m extra aware of my surroundings.

·         I walk in well lit areas if the option is available.

·         If there are two sides of the street to choose from, I pick the one with the most light and activity, so there are more people around.

·         If possible, I let people know where I’m going to be, with my expected arrival time.

·         If I know I’m going to be walking alone late at night I also make sure I’m wearing the most comfortable shoes possible. If I’m going out for a night of dancing, I pick the worn-in heels!

·         I don’t listen to my iPod (So I can hear what’s going on around me);

·         And sometimes I even call a friend.  I feel safer knowing that if anything were to happen, someone would immediately know something was wrong.

When using a car alone:

Whether I’m driving to an appointment or the grocery store there are a few things I’m always cognizant of when parking and returning to my parked car.

• I lock the doors as soon as I’m out of the vehicle.
• When I’m heading to the parking lot again, I try and find my keys inside the building so I’m not digging through my Mary Poppins’ abyss of a purse! 
• Upon returning I look inside the vehicle to see if anything looks out of place and to see if anyone is hiding inside.

• If it looks fine, I quickly look around and make sure no one is close by before unlocking and entering the vehicle.
• If someone is getting into the car beside mine on the driver’s side, I wait.
• I don’t unlock the car until I’ve checked it out and I’m right beside the driver’s side door - even then, I only unlock the driver’s door.
• Upon entering the car I lock ALL the doors immediately.

A few other little things I do just to be safe:

• I avoid renting apartments on the first floor.
• Same goes for hotel rooms. I always try and stay off street level. If I have to be on street level, I pick a suite without direct access to the outside/street.

So, what’s the verdict - Am I paranoid, over the top? Not even close… but I am surprised at how many precautionary (albeit unconscious/habitual) measures I take to help avoid potentially dangerous situations. And I’m fairly certain I’m just scratching the surface when it comes to the things women do to increase their level of safety.

But here’s the thing…So what. Why does this list of precautionary measures matter? For me, the answer lies in why I walk.  Women deserve to BE and FEEL safe, and the White Ribbon Campaign is dedicated, and has been for the over 20 years, to help women and men like myself who believe that a future without violence is possible, and hopefully within our lifetime.

For all the women reading this post I would urge you to take a moment and share what it’s like to walk in YOUR shoes with the men in your life. Encourage them to join you on Sept. 29^th at Yonge-Dundas Square to gain a little insight into what it’s like to walk in YOUR shoes. 

And men, for all the amazing women in your life, come to Yonge-Dundas Square, lend your support and experience what its like- if only for a mile- to walk in women’s shoes.

In the words of a popular TV sitcom character, “Challenge Extended!” 

Put Yourself in Her Shoes™

Each year, an ever-increasing number of men, women and their families are joining Walk A Mile in Her Shoes® to end violence against women and girls. Walk A Mile in Her Shoes® is a fun opportunity for men to educate the community about a very serious subject and to rally the community to take action to prevent gender based violence.

First You Walk the Walk:

Walk a Mile is Her Shoes® asks men (and women) to literally walk one mile in women’s high-heeled shoes. It’s not easy walking in these shoes, but it’s fun and it gets the community talking about something that’s really difficult to talk about: violence toward women and girls.

Then You Talk the Talk:

It’s critical to open up communication about sexual violence. When hidden away, it’s almost impossible to stop. Unfortunately, it’s difficult to get people talking. People unfamiliar with it often don’t want to know it exists. It’s ugly. People who have experienced it themselves want to forget about it. How do you get them talking now, so that they can prevent if from happening? And after it’s happened, how do you get them to talk about it so they can recover?

Walk A Mile in Her Shoes® provides several opportunities to get people talking. For preventive education, it helps men better understand and appreciate women’s experiences, thus changing perspectives, helping improve gender relationships and decreasing the potential for violence. For healing, it informs the community that services are available for recovery. It demonstrates that men are willing and able to be courageous partners with women in making the world a safer place.

Registration is now OPEN!

Violence toward women and girls is an epidemic in Canada!

51% of Canadian women over the age of 16 have experienced at least one form of gender-based violence. That means someone you know, somebody you care about, has been or may become a victim of violence. It could be your mother, your sister, your friend, your girlfriend, your wife, your coworker, or your daughter.   

Want to do something about it?  Don't know where to start? 

Take the first step.. and join us to walk on September 29th, 2011.  

There is an old saying: “You can't really understand another person's experience until you've walked a mile in their shoes.”

That’s why we’re asking you to put on a pair of high heels and join the White Ribbon Campaign to Walk A Mile in Her Shoes®. On Thursday September 29th, 2011 we’re all going to help end violence against women and girls, one step at a time.

To register visit: www.walkamiletoronto.org

Date:  Thursday September 29, 2011
Time:  12pm to 2pm  (Lunch hour event)
Location:  Yonge-Dundas Square Toronto

For more information visit ww.walkamiletoronto.org