As a member of this community for the past twenty-eight years, I have never been as proud as I have been these past few weeks. I was overwhelmed by the support shown for the National Walk a Mile in Her Shoes march held Saturday, Aug. 22, in Baxter.

Men were asked to wear high heels to feel what it was like "to walk a mile in her shoes". When I called to request sponsorship, you gave freely and generously. Some of you donated prizes to be handed out after the march.

All proceeds will go to help victims/survivors as well as residents of the women's shelter and Sexual Assault Services in Brainerd.

Nationally, there are now 134 walks throughout the U.S. to support ending violence against women. Every two minutes someone in America is raped. One in six American women are victims of sexual assault and one in four are battered by their intimate partner. That means someone you know, someone you care about has been or may become the victim of sexual violence. It may be your mother, your sister, your friend, your neighbor, your co-worker or your daughter.

God bless all of you who supported this important cause and for helping to make this a safer, stronger community for our women.
Judy Evans
Motley, Minn.