White ribbons for safety

Over the next two weeks, ribbons, signatures and high heels will be used to stamp out violence against women in Superior.

Members of the Douglas County Domestic Violence Coordinated Community Response Team are bringing the international White Ribbon Campaign back to the area.

“We decided to try and get the campaign into the high school, and now it has carried on into the college,” said Community Policing Officer Bonnie Johnson of the Superior Police Department. “It’s carrying out through the community.”

The White Ribbon Campaign began in 1991 in Canada. White ribbons were worn during the week leading up to the second anniversary of the massacre of 14 women at the Universite de Montreal engineering school. With only six weeks preparation, an estimated 100,000 men across Canada wore a white ribbon. The campaign has spread and now takes place throughout the world.

“I am very excited to be a part of the team that is bringing this campaign back to Superior,” said Douglas County District Attorney Dan Blank. “It is a continuation of our October Domestic Violence Awareness Month activities and community awareness information.

“This is now a specific challenge to men and boys to pledge/commit to not commit, condone or stay silent about violence against women and girls … Starting the campaign at SHS and UWS this year will hopefully build to an all-county initiative next year and into the future.”

Monday, Superior High School students will be asked to sign a pledge not to condone, stand silent or commit violence against women and girls. A table will be set up during each of the lunch hours offering white ribbons to those who sign the pledge.

“I think many young people are entering that stage of their life where they’re having relationships with boyfriends and girlfriends,” said Assistant Police Chief Charles LaGesse. “Having them committed to not acting out violently against their significant other —boyfriend or girlfriend — is key now … awareness in this age group is important to start on their adult life.”

If white ribbons aren’t enough, supporters can step into a pair of high heels to raise money for the international movement. The University of Wisconsin-Superior Gender Equity group is hosting “Walk a Mile in Her Shoes” from noon to 2:30 p.m. Dec. 3 at the Marcovich Health and Wellness Center. The cost for the charity walk is $15 in the participant is wearing high heels, $25 if they are not. It’s a BYOH — bring your own heels — event.

“I encourage people to take the mile walk as it will put them outside of their comfort zone and help make people appreciate how tough it is to walk in high heels, all while helping a wonderful cause,” said organizer Tim Sislo. The event is open to the public, both men and women. The walk, 12 laps around the track, won’t be timed. Sislo has worn high heels numerous times for roles in plays.

“I find them to be fun and not too bad to walk in, as soon as you get the hang of them,” he said. But, the thespian warned, people should budget extra time if they’re in elevated shoes.

“The height of the heels definitely effects how long it will take to walk,” Sislo said. Spikes or very skinny heels are not allowed on the track. All the money raised will benefit the international White Ribbon Campaign.

For information or to register online, look for the UWS Gender Equity website at www.uwsuper.edu/genderequity. People can also stop by the UWS Gender Equities Office, 1031 Swenson Hall or register at the event. For more information on the White Ribbon Campaign, visit www.whiteribbon.ca or White Ribbon Campaign on Facebook.

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