Harrah's and Harveys hold inaugural Walk a Mile in Her Shoes for Live Violence Free

Male staff members with Caesars Entertainment, Harrah's, and Harveys took part in the first Walk a Mile in Her Shoes on the South Shore Tuesday. The men put on high heels and walked a mile around the casino corridor to not only raise funds for Live Violence Free, but to bring awareness to sexual assault, rape, and gender violence.

Forty-two people participated, and non-staff members taking part included a CalFire firefighter, local comedian Howie Nave, and contractor The Service Company.

The goal is to have this an annual walk and fundraiser with its growth in popularity and participation in the future. Organizer Mary Griego, regulatory compliance officer for Harrah's and Harveys said the rest of the community will be invited in the future.

Since some of the men walking had trouble finding high heels that fit, knowing there will be a second event next year they have time to shop thrift stores for the right fit!

The walk event was put together by the new business impact group at Harrah's and Harveys, Savvy. It was formed at Caesars in Las Vegas about 15 years ago to focus on women and allies in the workplace. Savvy provides support, guidance, and encouragement to women in the company and the community. Savvy brings women and supporters of women together for events to drive professional development, networking and empowerment.

Walk a Mile in Her Shoes was a march to stop rape, sexual assault, and gender violence. Men were encouraged to participate in the one-mile walk in women’s shoes to promote awareness. This event benefited Live Violence Free in South Lake Tahoe. The participants paid to join in and gather donations for the nonprofit - and the donation site will be live until the end of the day Friday, May 13 (SEE HERE).

Since 2001, men, women, and their families around the world have joined the award-winning Walk a Mile in Her Shoes®: The International Men's March to Stop Rape, Sexual Assault & Gender Violence. It is a dramatic opportunity to raise awareness in your community about the serious causes, effects, and remediations of men's sexualized violence.

What are Walk Events?

Why men in women’s high-heeled shoes? The event asked men to walk in women's high-heeled shoes to actively confront gender stereotypes and expectations. In this space of playful confrontation and openness, it's possible to reveal and consider many of the underlying causes of men's sexualized violence with less defensiveness and denial.

Why Men in Women’s Shoes?

There is an old saying: "You can't understand another person's experience until you've walked a mile in their shoes." To get people listening, learning, and talking, Walk a Mile in Her Shoes® education Events organize around men literally walking one mile in women's high-heeled shoes. It's not easy walking in these shoes, but it's an experience around which a lot of education, self-reflection, and change happens. It's impressive to see such a visually stunning public statement of listening, learning, allyship, and commitment. It's an engaging event that gets the community talking about sex and gender biases, gender identity, gender relations, and men's sexualized violence.

Prizes were given to participants in the following categories:

Most Money Raised: Mark White, the owner of Mott Canyon, won a $150 gift card for CV Sport

Judges Favorite: Stew Massie, Regional President, Caesars Entertainment, won an Applebee’s gift certificate

Highest Heel: Daniel Sanderson, Harrah’s & Harveys Slot Manager, won a $100 gift card for VIP Nail & Spa

Most Creative: Sean Schickendanz, Harrah’s & Harveys Director of Casino Marketing, won an Applebee’s gift certificate

Best Outfit: Howie Nave, Howie’s Morning Rush KRLT 93-9 The Lake, won two skybox tickets to the Nora Jones concert

Blingiest Shoe: Jeff Stearns, Harrah’s & Harveys Director of Finance, won two skybox tickets to the Nora Jones concert

Fastest Mile: Mike Alexander, Harrah’s & Harveys Casino Ops Assistant Manager, won two skybox tickets to the Nora Jones concert

Best Dressed: Eric Sulier, Harrah’s & Harveys Butler, won a $150 gift card for CV Sports

Best Team Representation: The Service Company, won a Nevada basket from the Chocolate Shoppe in Gardnerville

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