The event’s hosts aim to destigmatize asking for help in times of crisis.
Students on MTSU’s campus often spend spring afternoons basking in the sun or swinging in hammocks, but April 15, students donated their time — and cardio — to a good cause.
The June Anderson Center for Women and Non-Traditional Students hosted Walk a Mile in Their Shoes, an annual event dedicated to bringing awareness to domestic violence and sexual assault. Numerous on and off-campus organizations such as the Office of Student Care and Conduct and MTSU Health Promotion participated. These organizations set up booths to pass out ribbons, buttons, pins and brochures to participants near the starting point outside the Rec Center.
“[For] an awareness walk for sexual assault, some campuses do high heels,” said Maigan Wipfli, director of the June Anderson Center. “But we know that men and gender nonbinary folks all deal with domestic violence as well as women, so we wear regular shoes.”
Fraternity and Sorority Life co-sponsored the event as a part of Greek Week at MTSU, bringing many participants from the Greek life community on campus. A cool breeze and sunshine made for perfect walking conditions as students changed into their new shirts and began their mile.
Those participating signed in with the FSL director, Hannah Leyhew, picked up their teal shirts and began the walk. It took them past the Student Union and the Honors Building, across the College of Education, through the middle of the Business and Aerospace Building, past the Corlew Middle and the Keathley University Center to Todd Hall, where walkers received a ticket for a free Chick-Fil-A sandwich upon their return to the start.
