Mission: Memphis Men for Memphis Women was founded to offer support for women's issues in Memphis and Shelby County, including domestic violence awareness, homelessness and economic parity.

Members are representatives of professional organizations including physicians, lawyers, faith-based, business and media. Fund-raising and awareness are the goals.

Contacts: Reid Phillips 901 525-8776 rphillips2259@comcast.net

2nd Annual Walk A Mile In Her Shoes

By Reid Phillips

Onlookers gawked and cheered as about 75 people, including many men wearing borrowed women's high-heel shoes in bright red and other colors, walked a mile around the Broad Avenue Arts District to protest violence against women.

The march was sponsored by Memphis Men for Memphis Women to benefit the domestic violence programs of the Memphis Area Women's Council, and opened the Broad Avenue Spring Art Walk. Men who walked paid a fee for the privilege and many collected sponsorships from friends and co-workers, as they participated in the second annual Memphis Walk A Mile In Her Shoes™ event.

Andre Fowlkes was this year's honorary chairman of the walk. The> businessman and columnist for The Commercial Appeal thanked the walkers for helping build awareness about violence against women, then led them on a walk down Broad and back along Sam Cooper Blvd. Motorists slowed down to read signs and honked support.

More than 22,000 incidents of physical attacks in households were reported to the Memphis Police Department in 2010. Domestic violence crimes are the only category of felonies showing an increase in Memphis and Shelby County over the past three years.

Memphis Police Department was represented by Commander Mike Ryall, who participated in the walk. Donations ranged from $1 to $500 from individuals, said Deborah M. Clubb, executive director of the Women's Council.

Reid Phillips is co-chair of Memphis Men for Memphis Women and a partner in The Hardison Law Firm.