Life as a pair of globe-trotting stilettos, can lead you down some adventurous paths. This September, my brothers and I embarked on a whirlwind journey to the fabulous YWCA WALK A MILE IN HER SHOES® fundraising events in Banff, Calgary, Lethbridge, and Edmonton.

This is the tantalizing tale of our travels.

Our journey began in sunny southern California as we left our home at Pleaser USA Inc and passed through Canadian customs to land on the front steps of the YWCA of Calgary. We happily hopped out of our boxes and were soon strutting along the TransCanada highway to Banff, joined by over 400 pairs of stilettos on our mission to learn more about how our travelling troupe of shoes could possibly help women and their children take steps away from family violence.

As we gazed at the majestic mountains, we admired the men of Banff who held signs explaining why they were walking in the heels. Our glossy eyes landed on a sign that read “I’m walking to keep women and girls in my community safe.”

As we made our way to the Calgary event, we straightened our bowties and saluted the Calgary Police Service and Calgary Fire Department for their selection of sleek black and white pumps. Our ears perked up as we listened to Sue Tomney, CEO of the YWCA, “We know that the Calgary Police Service receives more than 16,000 domestic violence calls each year. One call is too many, and what we don’t know, is how many people are NOT calling.”

Next destination on the agenda was Lethbridge, where the mayor reminded the walkers of the importance of safety first and led the group in a fun pre-walk stretch.  Of the walk itself, Mayor Chris Spearman said, “it was pure torture, but for such a great cause. Knowing I was helping women and their children walk away from family violence kept me walking.”

Lastly, we arrived in Edmonton for the finale of our 2014 YWCA WALK A MILE IN HER SHOES® road trip. As we strutted along the course, our googly eyes widened reading facts such as, “1 in 4 Alberta women are effected by domestic violence” and “On any given day, more than 200 Albertan women will seek protection at a shelter or transition home.”

Four YWCA WALK A MILE IN HER SHOES® fundraising events, 400 stilettos, and 1500 kilometres later, we witnessed more than $300,000.00 fundraised by more than a cumulative 700 men who STEPPED UP to end family violence.

We are happy to call the YWCA of Calgary our new home and to chronicle our next adventures at the 2015 YWCA WALK A MILE IN HER SHOES® events!

Your continued support of women fleeing family violence means so much to us and the brave men who step up each year to end the cycle of violence.