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What a Walk!

Updated: Apr 26, 2023

On April 15, 2023, we hosted our 12th annual Walk a Mile in Her Shoes event. Just under 1,000 participants gathered at St. Clair Park in Greensburg to #WalkBlackburnCenter. We had fantastic weather, an impressive turnout, and an amazing morning of learning, raising awareness, and coming together as a community.


On the stage, we hosted a variety of activities that were created in collaboration with


Seton Hill University’s Art Therapy Department, Greensburg Salem High School Art Department, the FAME Group, and Blackburn Center’s Education team. This included an art project designed to highlight the need for solidarity.


Elsewhere in the park, walkers could fuel up on coffee and donuts at our breakfast tent, generously provided by Starbucks, Dunkin’ Donuts, and Shop ’n Save . They could also have their team picture taken by Skysight Photography — all while enjoying music provided by Savvy Sounds. You can check out all of the Walk pictures on our Facebook page!

At 10 a.m., we all gathered to listen to speakers musician, composer, and sound designer Bill Stankay, Dr. Terry DePasquale, Retired Associate Provost, Dean of Graduate and External Programs and Professor Emeritus of Education at Seton Hill University, and Vice President/Secretary of Blackburn Center’s Board of Directors, Dr. David Von Schlichten of Seton Hill University, and Dr. Tim Holler of the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg. They explained the purpose of the Walk, led us in a moment of silence for victims and survivors of violence, and talked about how each of us can play a role in ending gender-based violence.


And with that, the Walk began! Our Walk was kicked off by a team from the Tuscano Agency, our underwriting sponsor. Our walkers (and a few runners!) marched down Maple Avenue, showing off their shoes — and their commitment to ending gender-based violence. Walkers carried signs and navigated through downtown Greensburg, with traffic assistance from Bikers Against Child Abuse. There was no typical walker: we had everyone from babies in strollers to high school and college students to parents and grandparents and even a few sports teams!

This year, we welcomed many groups who came out to support the Walk. Our top teams for 2023 were:


Most Participants: University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg





Most Money Raised: The WICT Network


We’d also like to recognize Lance from Pheple Credit Union as the winner of the Most Festive Shoes content!




We thank each and every person who came to the Walk, joined a team, walked as an individual, or donated to support our mission. We are also incredibly appreciative of the dozens of volunteers who helped make the Walk a reality.


Of course, the opportunity to raise awareness and give back to your community doesn’t have to end with the Walk. You can donate to or volunteer for Blackburn Center throughout the year. You can also schedule an educational or training program for your school, workplace or organization. Finally, you can take what you learned at the Walk and put it into practice — working to be show solidarity for victims and survivors of gender-based violence!


As always if you need help, we are here 24 hours a day, 7 days a week via our hotline: 1-888-832-2272 (TDD Available). All calls to the hotline are free of charge and can be anonymous.


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