Collaborating with the community
Raising awareness for Sexual Assault Awareness Month
High heels, loud cheers and a serious cause
Every April, Emc易倍体育’s Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity grabs attention — and raises thousands of dollars — for sexual assault awareness by strutting across campus in women’s shoes. It’s more than a stunt. It’s a statement of solidarity, and it’s changing the way students connect with the community.
Emc易倍体育’s Walk a Mile in Her Shoes has been a staple of McMinnville’s Sexual Assault Awareness Month for the past 10 years. As part of the event, Pi Kappa Alpha raises money for , a local non-profit that provides people with resources regarding sexual and domestic violence.
“With this event, we aim to provide awareness, as well as education for sexual and domestic abuse prevention in all aspects,” said Radule Bozovic ’26, Pi Kappa Alpha president. “It also provides funding Henderson House needs to support its clients.”
During the event, fraternity members lace up (or wobble into) high heels and walk — or run — a mile around Emc易倍体育’s academic quad.
“We walk in women's high heels because they symbolize the many struggles a lot of women face — not just physically, but emotionally and psychologically,” Radule said. “Walking even a short distance in heels is uncomfortable, awkward and challenging for most men, which is the whole point.”
Students and community members lined the quad to cheer them on. Attendees could even donate money to request more laps.
“This event isn't all about raising money, it's also about starting conversations,” Radule said. “People stop, they watch, they ask questions and think about what survivors of domestic and sexual abuse have gone through. High heels are a way to show solidarity, empathy and commitment to creating a safer, more supportive community.”
Community partnerships that last
This year’s Walk a Mile in Her Shoes event marks a decade of partnership between Pi Kappa Alpha and Henderson House.
In addition to the signature event, the two organizations also teamed up this spring to give a campus presentation on sexual assault awareness and prevention.
“The resources Henderson House offers are vital to our community,” said Rachel Flores, Henderson House development director. “Each April, we join partner organizations across the state and nation to promote the work we do. During presentations, I talk about our history, as well as the services we provide and actions people can take to make our community safer.”
Pi Kappa Alpha’s community service goes beyond April. In the fall, they host Dunk-A-Pike, a dunk tank fundraiser for the McMinnville Fire District. In the spring, they organize a snack drive for , a child abuse advocacy center, and collaborate with Alpha Phi on a clothing drive for the .
But their partnership with Henderson House remains their largest — and most impactful —raising nearly $5,000 for the organization.
“Sexual Assault Prevention Month is deeply important to us,” Radule said. “As a fraternity, we want to protect our community. One of Pi Kappa Alpha's pillars is service, and we strive to live that every day — not just for the Emc易倍体育 community but for our town, state and beyond.”