(Published in The Caymanian Compass, Monday, 13 February, 2012)
http://www.compasscayman.com/caycompass/2012/02/13/Crisis-centre-hosts-A-Day-In-My-Shoes/
Women’s shoes have become empowering and show individual character, just as lipstick did in the 1920s
Fashionistas will have the opportunity to celebrate their favourite accessory – shoes – at a forthcoming fundraiser.
The Cayman Islands Crisis Centre is encouraging women to put their best shoes forward by holding a creative photographic project – A Day In My Shoes – to raise money to help support victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.
The project will include five victims of domestic violence, who will be sponsored to tell their story anonymously, as well as a further 25 women who all have a great story to tell.
Each woman will be pictured in their favourite shoes, be they a fabulous pair of Manolo’s, Jimmy Choos or a simple pair of Clarks.
Telling the story
Participants will be able to choose their shoes and the location that best tells their story of confidence, empowerment, courage or achievement.
The photos will later be displayed at an exhibition, which is scheduled to be held sometime in October this year.
Each woman will remain anonymous as only their lower body and fabulous shoes will be photographed.
Alongside of their photographs will be their story, whether it is about a struggle in life, domestic violence, work, success, triumph, loss of a loved one or simply life and how to see the light at the end of the tunnel.
Raising money
Each photo shoot will cost $650, with all funds going direct to the crisis centre. In return participants will receive a personalised 16 by 20 inch photo canvas, be featured in a photography coffee table book, and have their photograph on display at the exhibition, all while contributing to a good cause.
The images will be shot by photographer Amy Martin Friedman, between 24 and 26 March.
Idea is born
Ms Friedman has raised money through similar projects for shelters in Los Angeles and San Francisco as well as Baltimore-Hartford County, Maryland and New York after she conceived the idea of the project back in 2008. This will be the first time she takes her project international.
Creative approach
“A Day In My Shoes is a creative approach, which brings attention to a problem in communities which is uncomfortable to discuss,” organiser Janette Goodman said.
“This event has been very successful in other areas in raising a large amount of money, which the crisis centre urgently needs. It is also a fun event and hasn’t been done on island before, which we hope will generate even more interest.”
She added: “Women’s shoes have become a very defining feature. They are empowering and show women’s individual characters, like lipstick did in the 1920s.
“Domestic violence is not a sexy topic and can often be a very difficult topic to approach.
“We wanted to find a fun and creative way to approach it and I hope this project will do just that.”
The Cayman Islands Crisis Centre is a charitable organisation that provides safe, temporary shelter and support services for abused women and their children, as well as community education programmes regarding domestic abuse and sexual violence.
Providing shelter
Last year, the CICC provided safe shelter for 120 women and children, a 30 per cent increase over previous years and responded to 155 crisis calls regarding domestic abuse and sexual assault.
The location of CICC is kept secret so that the women and children who are assisted can know that they’re safe.
So far 15 women have signed up to participate and the CICC is encouraging more women to come forward.
To get involved with the project, or to learn more, call Janette Goodman at 525-7516 or email janette.goodman@ritzcarlton.com. Alternatively email Lyn Boone at lyn.boone@comcast.net
Joanna Lewis 