Walking the walk
WALK A MILE IN HER SHOES MARCH
Real men wear high heels - for a mile at least.
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Austin Balis, 2, of Backus walked in some oversized heels Saturday at the Walk a Mile in Her Shoes march in Baxter.
Brainerd Dispatch/ Kelly Humphrey
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That's what one of the many signs proclaimed Saturday during the second annual Walk a Mile in Her Shoes - The International Men's March to Stop Rape, Sexual Assault & Gender Violence.
For men who were unable to wear high heels for the Walk a Mile in Her Shoes march on Saturday, decorations were available for their regular shoes.
Brainerd Dispatch/ Kelly Humphrey
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More than 100 people gathered at the Baxter Wal-mart parking lot, where men risked blisters by walking just over a mile in high heels to raise money and awareness for the Mid-Minnesota Women's Center and Sexual Assault Services.
Men of all ages came together Saturday in Baxter to make a mile-long high-heeled trek around the Baxter Wal-mart to raise awareness about sexual assault, abuse and gender violence as well as raise funds for the Sexual Assault Services and Mid-Minnesota Women's Center in the Walk a Mile in Her Shoes march.
Brainerd Dispatch/ Kelly Humphrey
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And though there likely were quite a few blisters after the fact, there was no complaining as it was pointed out before the march that one in three women have been sexually abused or beaten in their lifetime, a pain that lasts far longer than such minor physical discomforts.
In addition to the funds raised by marchers Saturday, Expressions Shoe Center in Pequot Lakes, with the help of Yaleet Inc., donated 100 pairs of shoes worth $10,000 to the Mid-Minnesota Women's Shelter for the Walk a Mile in Her Shoes event.
Brainerd Dispatch/ Kelly Humphrey
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Men were able to pick out donated heels at the beginning of the march, and upon completion of the mile, several massage therapists were on hand to ease the pain with a foot massage.
- Kelly Humphrey