By Jamesetta M. Walker
The Virginian-Pilot
"Sex and the City" star Sarah Jessica Parker tossed some of her shoes to support a Hampton Roads-based women's empowerment effort.
Parker has donated three pairs of autographed shoes to ShoeRevolt.com, said the online shoe boutique's creator, Ateba Crocker of Newport News. Shoe Revolt's mission is to inspire and empower women by using shoe purchases to support initiatives that stem human trafficking.
Profits will be donated to GEMS: Girls Educational and Mentoring Services to fund transitional housing and to create scholarships, Crocker said. GEMS works with girls and women ages 12 to 21 who have experienced commercial sexual exploitation to exit the industry and develop their potential.
Parker donated black rhinestone sneakers, cowboy boots and taupe dress shoes, Crocker said.
ed hardy shirts "She definitely is a shoeista," defined as a woman who purchases shoes with a strong social statement. Crocker reached out to Parker a little less than a month ago and received the package last week.
Leslie Grossnickle, a spokeswoman for Parker, said the actress was traveling and could not be reached for comment.
Another high-profile donation has come from stuntwoman and actress Zoe Bell, Crocker said. Bell has been a stunt double in movies and TV series including "Kill Bill," "Xena: Warrior Princess" and "Catwoman."
Crocker began the Shoe Revolt campaign in March, and sales are expected to go live Aug. 1, she said. More than 100 pairs of shoes have been donated so far. Crocker seeks both children's and women's shoes - everything from flats and high heels to boots and wedges.
The idea came to Crocker after she read an article on the shortage of housing for women who have been exploited, she said.
"I wanted to find a way to raise money to help sustain current shelters and develop more," Crocker said. Shoe Revolt already has begun to work with Courtney's House in Northern Virginia, she said.
The international women's organization Soroptimist estimates that 800,000 women and children are trafficked across borders annually. Various reports estimate between 200,000 and 300,000 women and children in the United States are victimized by human trafficking.
air jordan Recovery and empowerment are causes that resonate personally with Crocker, 37.
Two years ago, she published the memoir "Rescued: A Testimony of God's Saving Power." The book chronicles her history of emotional and sexual abuse as a child, and her eventual effort to cut ties from a local escort service. The former Old Dominion University marketing professor is now exclusively devoting her time to Shoe Revolt and raising her family. She has three children ages 17, 6 and 2.
Crocker said she prays that women will find it in their hearts to go into their closets and find something to contribute.
"Every woman has a pair of shoes that she hasn't worn at all, and we're asking her to sacrifice that pair of shoes for the fight. This is the United States, the land of the free, and right here on domestic soil there are victims being enslaved through commercial and sexual exploitation."
Jamesetta M. Walker, (757) 446-2211,
Sarah Jessica Parker donated three pairs of autographed shoes to support a Hampton Roads-based womReplica Watches
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