Controversial Shoes: The Susan G. Komen Off and On Funding of Planned Parenthood

Sneaker by New Balance that helps to fund raise for the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation

Shoes can be used to support a cause or charity, but you want to make sure that the money is going to a worthy organization.

Recently Susan G. Komen for the Cure foundation, which is the nation's premier breast-cancer advocacy group, came under fire when it decided to stop sending funds to Planned Parenthood because it was under Congressional investigation, a violation of rules Komen recently enacted. The decision was overturned yesterday, but the legacy of outrage and controversy remains.

Planned Parenthood provides a broad range of health services, including abortion, to women who often would not be able to pay for the services. The funding was to be used for cancer screenings, according to the NY Times and The Washington Post.

Many shoe companies and stores have partnered with Komen to raise money for breast cancer. Sneaker brand, New Balance, has partnered with Komen since 1989. They have guaranteed a minimum donation of $500,000 a year through this year. Other previous partners include Payless Shoes, which in September and October of 2011 rose over $4 million through special earrings. Hunter Boots , The Brown Shoe Company, and shoes.com have also partnered with Komen to raise funds.

Shoes for a Cause: NFL Players to Wear Cleats to Commemorate September 11

Last year in honor of September 11, a day I will never forget, I wrote about wearing patriotic shoes in remembrance. Well, it seems some NFL players had a similar idea. They are going to wear patriotic cleats and gloves in remembrance.  

Blast from the Past: 18th Century Shoemaking at Colonial Williamsburg

The outside of the shoemaker's shop in Colonial Williamsburg.

I recently visited Colonial Williamsburg and found an exciting shop, the shoemaker. Although the styles and process was a bit different from today, shoes had a role in that society. In fact, The College of William and Mary was partially founded on revenue collected from a tariff on shoes (Colonial Williamsburg, n.d.)!

Shoemaking has taken place in America since at least 1610 when the first shoemakers came to Jamestown, VA, according to Colonial Williamsburg.  In 1661, the Virginia Legislature mandated that each county have a shoe manufacturer.

The shoemaker shop in Williamsburg is set up to be that of George Wilson from the 1760s-1770s. Wilson was known for making fine boots and shoes for gentlemen.  As a side note, shoemakers either made shoes for men or for women, according to Colonial Williamsburg.

In Defense of Fashion: The Stock Price Raising Influence of Michelle Obama

Fashion is often criticized for being frivolous, but a recent study from New York University found that fashion can play an important role in the economy.

The study used the example of Michelle Obama, who has recently become a fashion icon, with blogs like Mrs. O  following her ever choice.

The study found that not only does the first lady’s clothing choices increase sales of items she wore, but also increases their stock prices. David Yermack, professor of finance and business at New York University's Leonard N. Stern School of Business, performed a year-long analysis of the economic impact of Obama's apparel selections (Oliver & Yeo, 2010).

What shoes do you wear to vote on Election Day? Any type you want!

Its Election Day 2010, the time for the midterm elections, and the chance to decide who will control the House and Senate. You should be making many decisions today on who to vote for, if you have not already done so.

However, there is one decision today that doesn’t matter, what shoes you wear. You can wear sexy high-heels, sneakers, flats, or even slippers. Just make sure you got out and vote! Let you’re voice be heard.

What shoes do you wear to the Rally to Restore Sanity? Sane Ones!

A view of the crowd and the stage before the rally began.

This post is a bit of stretch for a shoe blog, but I went to Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert’s Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear on the National Mall yesterday, and wanted to share the experience.

As for my shoes, I wore comfortable and supportive sneakers, which was a very sane decision. I was one my feet for close to 5 hours straight, most of the time just standing. In the crowd, I must admit high-heels were tempting because I had trouble seeing. I often had to rise to my toes to glimpse the performers. However, my feet would have been in major pain if I wore heels to stand all that time and to talk the 2 miles back to where I am staying.

I had never been to a rally in Washington before, so this was definitely an experience.

Politicians and Shoes: Rent is 2 Damn High Party Will Let You Marry a Shoe

2010 is shaping up to be a quite interesting election year. All sorts of topics have been brought up, like witches. Yet, only recently have shoes entered this election.

At the New York governor candidates’ debate on October 20, all 7 candidates on the ballot were invited, including Jimmy McMillan, of the Rent is 2 Damn High Party (Sicoli, 2010). When asked about gay marriage, he said, “The Rent is 2 Damn High Party feels if you want to marry a shoe, I’ll marry you” (Ngo, 2010). See the end of the above video or click here. 

I understand the point McMillan was trying to make, but I am unsure why he chose a shoe. It’s still interesting to bring up shoes in a political debate. What do you think?

Patriotic shoes in honor of September 11

9/11 is a day I will never forget. Nothing will bring back those who were lost or erase the horrific memories.

 The one thing 9/11 did was to bring together Americans and instill a new sense of patriotism. In the spirit of that patriotism I decide to search the web for shoes with American symbols. When showing one’s pride, most people use t-shirt and pins. However, shoes can also reflect one’s feelings of American loyalty.

Zazzle  has a large selection of Keds shoes in different American flag, red white, and blue, and firework patterns.