鈥擴pdated May 12鈥�
We have newly released information on this event.
The Walk a Mile in Her Shoes event is set for May 17, at 12:30 p.m. at Howe Sound Secondary.
The walk will head up to Junction Park, and end at 2 p.m.
Supporters of the event can follow on Instagram.
鈥擮riginal story, Nov. 19, 2024鈥�
For 17-year-old Autumn Vickery, change begins with red heels.
The Grade 12 student from Howe Sound Secondary School is organizing a Walk a Mile in Her Shoes event in spring 2025, where men will don red high heels and walk a mile to raise awareness about domestic violence women face鈥攁nd the funds will go straight to , Squamish鈥檚 local women鈥檚 shelter.
鈥淔or the walk, males will walk a mile in red high heels,鈥� Vickery said. 鈥淭he goal is to raise awareness around domestic abuse and sexual abuse while encouraging dialogue on these issues.鈥�
Instead of seeking sponsors, participants and spectators can contribute directly through a or cash donations at the event. To add some friendly competition, prizes will be awarded to the organization and individual who raises the most funds.
According to a , 2023, there were 123,319 victims of police-reported intimate partner violence in Canada, and nearly 80% of them were women and girls. This means that for every 100,000 people, 549 women were victims鈥攁lmost four times the rate for men.
Vickery says her passion for social justice began early.
鈥淚 think I was about seven. My mom and I were watching a women鈥檚 march on the news,鈥� she recalled.
鈥淚 remember asking her, 鈥榃hat is this? Why are they doing it?鈥� She explained it to me, and I couldn鈥檛 believe it.鈥�
鈥淚 kept asking, 鈥榃hy? Why do they have to fight for something they should already have?鈥� It didn鈥檛 make sense to me, even as a kid.鈥�
鈥淭his event feels like a way to help make a difference, even if it鈥檚 small.鈥�
Supporting PearlSpace
The initiative has the full support of Shana Murray, community program director at PearlSpace.
鈥淲e鈥檙e so grateful for Autumn鈥檚 efforts,鈥� Murray said. 鈥淪he鈥檚 continuing a campaign that鈥檚 part of our history, and it鈥檚 amazing to see the next generation taking the lead.鈥�
While Pearl鈥檚 Place has run Walk a Mile events in the past, they鈥檝e since retired the fundraiser.
But Vickery鈥檚 enthusiasm is reigniting the tradition.
鈥淭he fact that she鈥檚 stepping in shows real dedication,鈥� Murray said.
Why youth involvement matters
Murray highlighted how crucial it is to have youth leading the charge in raising awareness about violence against women.
鈥淵oung people are the next wave of adults. When they get involved, it strengthens our communities and sends a clear message: we won鈥檛 tolerate violence against women,鈥� she said.
鈥淚t鈥檚 powerful to see youth standing up and saying, 鈥楾his isn鈥檛 okay.鈥欌��
Vickery hopes the event will do more than raise money.
鈥淧eople who experience violence often feel alone,鈥� she said. 鈥淏y building a community, we can show them they鈥檙e not alone and that there are places they can turn to for help.鈥�
How the community can get involved
With a $3,000 fundraising goal, Vickery has already launched a GoFundMe page and is reaching out for support.
鈥淲e鈥檝e got most things ready鈥攙olunteers, the walk route鈥攏ow we just need red high heels,鈥� she said with a laugh.
鈥淚鈥檓 working on that part!鈥�
For Murray, the community鈥檚 role is clear. 鈥淓vents like these remind us that everyone can play a part in fighting violence. When we come together, it makes a real difference,鈥� she said.
The event is set for spring 2025, timed to take advantage of Squamish鈥檚 milder weather.
鈥淲e didn鈥檛 want to be trudging through the rain in heels,鈥� Vickery joked.
For those who want to help, donations can be made through the page.
