Shoes front and centre of crisis centre fundraiser

(CNS): The local Crisis Centre is hoping to take advantage of the uniquely female condition of ‘shoe loving’ with its second “A Day In My Shoes” fundraiser next month.  Women are invited to have their photographs taken in the shoes that make them feel most empowered. Participants are able to choose their photo shoot location, anywhere on the island and will receive a mounted canvass of their photograph as well as an invitation to the exhibit launch at the National Gallery later this year.  Their photographs and accompanying stories will appear in the coffee table book that will be sold, with all proceeds going to the Cayman Islands Crisis Centre.

American photographer Amy Martin-Friedman initiated “A Day in My Shoes” in the United States as a means of raising awareness about the impacts of domestic violence and to raise funds for women’s shelters.  She came to the Cayman Islands in 2012 and the effort raised over $15,000 for the Cayman Islands Crisis Centre through the photo shoots, the sales of the coffee table book and ticket sales for the exhibit launch and cocktail reception held at the National Gallery.

On her way back to Cayman this year officials explained that Friedman’s picture won’t feature all models’ faces as some of them will be past clients of the Crisis Centre, who will have their entry fees covered by sponsors.  

“Every woman has a story to tell and every story is important”, said Martin-Friedman.  “They are not always about domestic violence – most of them aren’t – but this is an exercise in the power of sharing and of the empowerment of women”.

This year’s theme is “Empowering Women” and in addition to the models some of Cayman’s most influential women will also be involved. 

“We have received corporate donations to support the inclusion of some photographs of some of the Caymanian women who have made life in Cayman better – through their art, work or other contributions,” said A Day in My Shoes event organiser Janette Goodman.

To sign up as a participant or a sponsor for the event on 2-5 April contact Janette Goodman at janette.goodman@ritzcarlton.com