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BARTLESVILLE — The very first of what is destined to be an annual gender-based program called “Kick Up Her Heels” was staged locally by Family Crisis & Counseling Center, Inc. in recognition of Sexual Assault Awareness Month.  Men paraded in women’s shoes to raise public awareness while generating funds to promote recovery. 

            Participants led by City Council members carrying a “Kick Up Her Heels” street banner, were reviewed by a panel of judges comprised of Sen. John Ford, Kevin Potter, Margo Proctor, Kacy Curd and Debbie Haskill.  KWON broadcaster Charlie Taraboletti acted as emcee for the event assisted by Maria Swindell Gus, Executive Director of the Bartlesville Convention & Visitors Bureau.

            Awards went to Bob Walker for “Most Creative” shoe, Tyler Frakes for “Highest Heel”, James McGraw for “Flippiest Flop” and Allen Ledbetter for “Prettiest Pump”.  A special honorable mention went to Mark White for “Most Outrageous” costume.

            Designed to be fun, the event also had a serious side -- to draw attention to the staggering statistics, causes and effects of sexual violence while informing people of the local services available to help women recover.  Key to the FCC event was that attempting to walk in ladies shoes helps men to better understand a woman’s experience, thus changing their perspective.     

            FCC Executive Director Barbara Turner said, “We so appreciate the time and effort of local officials who helped us with this event, as well as the men who participated, the crowd that turned out to join in the fun, and all those who contributed so generously.  The event demonstrated that men were willing to be courageous partners with women in making the world a safer place.”

            All of the funds raised will be used locally in support of FCC’s domestic violence shelters and to provide sexualized violence education, prevention and remediation programs.  Family Crisis & Counseling Center, Inc. is a member of the Bartlesville Regional United Way.

BARTLESVILLE — The very first of what is destined to be an annual gender-based program called “Kick Up Her Heels” was staged locally by Family Crisis & Counseling Center, Inc. in recognition of Sexual Assault Awareness Month.  Men paraded in women’s shoes to raise public awareness while generating funds to promote recovery. 

            Participants led by City Council members carrying a “Kick Up Her Heels” street banner, were reviewed by a panel of judges comprised of Sen. John Ford, Kevin Potter, Margo Proctor, Kacy Curd and Debbie Haskill.  KWON broadcaster Charlie Taraboletti acted as emcee for the event assisted by Maria Swindell Gus, Executive Director of the Bartlesville Convention & Visitors Bureau.

            Awards went to Bob Walker for “Most Creative” shoe, Tyler Frakes for “Highest Heel”, James McGraw for “Flippiest Flop” and Allen Ledbetter for “Prettiest Pump”.  A special honorable mention went to Mark White for “Most Outrageous” costume.

            Designed to be fun, the event also had a serious side -- to draw attention to the staggering statistics, causes and effects of sexual violence while informing people of the local services available to help women recover.  Key to the FCC event was that attempting to walk in ladies shoes helps men to better understand a woman’s experience, thus changing their perspective.     

            FCC Executive Director Barbara Turner said, “We so appreciate the time and effort of local officials who helped us with this event, as well as the men who participated, the crowd that turned out to join in the fun, and all those who contributed so generously.  The event demonstrated that men were willing to be courageous partners with women in making the world a safer place.”

            All of the funds raised will be used locally in support of FCC’s domestic violence shelters and to provide sexualized violence education, prevention and remediation programs.  Family Crisis & Counseling Center, Inc. is a member of the Bartlesville Regional United Way.

 Kick Up Her Heels pictures and participants from this years event. 

 FCC would like to thank all those who came out to suppport

 Sexual Assault Awareness Month and Kick Up Her Heels

   This was a fun and humorous way for men to show their support and bring awareness to sexual assault issues.  FCC recruited men from the area to walk a planned course is women’s shoes.  Information and education booths were set up along the course to add to this awareness.

    During this even our mission is to create a unique and powerful public experience that educates individuals and our community about the causes of sexual assault,  to provide them with prevention and remediation strategies that empowers them to further develop and implement this knowledge and skills interpersonally and politically.

    We are here to inform our com-munity of the valuable contributions men are making to stop sexual assault.

We are here to help bridge the gap, coordinate and publicize the community’s effort to organize and participate in the Kick Up Her Heels Event that raises awareness and funds for sexual assault education, prevention and remediation.