Firefighters walk in ladies’ shoes to protest violence against women

After two minutes in a pair of high-heeled shoes, firefighter George Wilson was feeling his calves burn.

“I don’t know how (women) do it for longer periods of time,” he said. “Those shoes were a little tight.”

Wilson is one of several members of Thunder Bay Fire and Rescue that will be participating in the Walk a Mile in Her Shoes event held in conjunction with the 32nd annual Royal LePage Lannon Realty Women’s United Run, Stroll or Roll on May 7 – the day before Mother’s Day – at Boulevard Lake.

To prepare for the event, Wilson said he’ll have to borrow a pair of his mother’s shoes to practice with.

Walk a Mile in Her Shoes is an international event that has men walking in protest of violence against women. The proceeds will go towards the women’s shelter and sexual assault centre.

Fifty-one per cent of Canadian women have experienced sexual or physical abuse and Women’s United Run emcee Wendy Siltamaki said ever year the event organizers focus on women and shelter-based charities funded through the United Way.

“You want to save the world, but right now we’re going to focus on our women…and our children,” she said. “We want to bring awareness to these issues that for so long have needed to be brought out.”

Mayor Keith Hobbs will join the firefighters as they lead the men’s walk starting at 10:30 a.m. May 7. The regular women’s run will begin at 9:30 a.m.

Registration information can be found at http://www.royallepagethunderbay.com.