--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Until we as a gender refuse to wear any…" description: "\"Until we as a gender refuse to wear any shoe that would be uncomfortable to walk a mile in, we’re perfectly screwed.\" — Cheryl Strayed" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2c4/cheryl-strayed-605_fashion_until-we-as-a-gender-refuse-to-wear-any_1209297.png" --- # Until we as a gender refuse to wear any shoe that would be… ![“Until we as a gender refuse to wear any shoe that would be uncomfortable to walk a mile in, we’re perfectly screwed.” quote by Cheryl Strayed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2c4/cheryl-strayed-605_fashion_until-we-as-a-gender-refuse-to-wear-any_1209297.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2c4/cheryl-strayed-605_fashion_until-we-as-a-gender-refuse-to-wear-any_1209297.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2c4/cheryl-strayed-605_fashion_until-we-as-a-gender-refuse-to-wear-any_1209297.png) > “Until we as a gender refuse to wear any shoe that would be uncomfortable to walk a mile in, we’re perfectly screwed.” [Cheryl Strayed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cheryl-strayed/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Empathy requires imagining others' discomfort; without it, society fails to protect the vulnerable. **In simple terms:** Walk a mile in others' shoes. Key Takeaway Cultivate empathy. Themes empathy social justice gender equality Mood thoughtful inspirational Type social ethical When to use this quote - policy making - community support - personal interactions Key Concepts perspective taking social responsibility human rights Questions to Reflect On - How can you practice empathy daily? - What barriers prevent you from understanding others? A Different Perspective People may resist uncomfortable truths. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Fashion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fashion/) [Gender](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gender/) [Gender Refuse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gender-refuse-977005/) [Miles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/miles/) [Refuse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/refuse/) [Refuse Wear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/refuse-wear-857011/) [Shoes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shoes/) [Uncomfortable](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/uncomfortable/) [Uncomfortable Walk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/uncomfortable-walk-3658019/) [Walks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/walks/) [Wear Shoe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wear-shoe-2713012/) [Would be](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/would-be/) ## Related quotes > [I'm sorry, but Juicy Couture tracksuits and Ugg boots don't move me in any way, shape or form. I refuse to wear them. Modern…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/imelda-may/i-m-sorry-but-juicy-couture-tracksuits-and-ugg-boots-don-t-move-me-in/) [Imelda May](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/imelda-may/) > [I'm not changing the way I dress: I refuse to wear a suit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-exotic/i-m-not-changing-the-way-i-dress-i-refuse-to-wear-a-suit/) [Joe Exotic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-exotic/) > [If there's specific resistance to women making movies, I just choose to ignore that as an obstacle for two reasons: I can't change my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathryn-bigelow/if-there-s-specific-resistance-to-women-making-movies-i-just-choose-2/) [Kathryn Bigelow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathryn-bigelow/) > [I never wear the same shoe twice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deion-sanders/i-never-wear-the-same-shoe-twice/) [Deion Sanders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deion-sanders/) > [Don't wear a shoe if it doesn't fits you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aireen-pontillo/don-t-wear-a-shoe-if-it-doesn-t-fits-you/) [Aireen Pontillo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aireen-pontillo/) > [If there's specific resistance to women making movies, I just choose to ignore that as an obstacle for two reasons: I can't change my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathryn-bigelow/if-there-s-specific-resistance-to-women-making-movies-i-just-choose/) [Kathryn Bigelow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathryn-bigelow/) > [I can't change my gender, and I refuse to stop making movies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathryn-bigelow/i-can-t-change-my-gender-and-i-refuse-to-stop-making-movies/) [Kathryn Bigelow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathryn-bigelow/) > [It represents a Bible verse I wear on my shoe. Philippians 4:13. It says 'I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.'…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-curry/it-represents-a-bible-verse-i-wear-on-my-shoe-philippians-4-13-it/) [Stephen Curry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-curry/) > [You'd never think of taking a cab if you had to walk a mile down Chicago's Michigan Avenue. But in a bad city you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helmut-jahn/you-d-never-think-of-taking-a-cab-if-you-had-to-walk-a-mile-down/) [Helmut Jahn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helmut-jahn/) > [When it comes down to music, I have no balance. I am 100 percent. It is like full throttle. Five hundred miles an hour.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yanni/when-it-comes-down-to-music-i-have-no-balance-i-am-100-percent-it-is/) [Yanni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yanni/) > [Detroit, the heart of the country... I grew up on 10 Mile, 2 miles better than 8 Mile.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kristen-bell/detroit-the-heart-of-the-country-i-grew-up-on-10-mile-2-miles-better/) [Kristen Bell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kristen-bell/) > [If we can send a guy to the moon we can certainly go a quarter of a mile and not get hurt.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-prudhomme/if-we-can-send-a-guy-to-the-moon-we-can-certainly-go-a-quarter-of-a/) [Don Prudhomme](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-prudhomme/) > [We began intercepting Japanese radio transmissions, which indicated the two forces were very close to each other. We found out later that we were…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-adams/we-began-intercepting-japanese-radio-transmissions-which-indicated/) [Jack Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-adams/) > [I don't think I've ever bench-pressed anything in my life. Until about two years ago I swam a mile almost every day. Then I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-antosca/i-don-t-think-i-ve-ever-bench-pressed-anything-in-my-life-until-about/) [Nick Antosca](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-antosca/) > [Thinking about the things that happened, I don't know any other ball player would could have done what he (Jackie Robinson) did. To be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pee-wee-reese/thinking-about-the-things-that-happened-i-don-t-know-any-other-ball/) [Pee Wee Reese](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pee-wee-reese/) ## More by Cheryl Strayed > [“She understands that attention is the first and final act of love, and that the ultimate dwindling resource in the human arrangement isn’t cheap…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cheryl-strayed/she-understands-that-attention-is-the-first-and-final-act-of-love-and/) [Cheryl Strayed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cheryl-strayed/) > [“The most terrible and beautiful and interesting things happen in life. For some of you, those things have already happened. Whatever happens to you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cheryl-strayed/the-most-terrible-and-beautiful-and-interesting-things-happen-in-life/) [Cheryl Strayed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cheryl-strayed/) > [Of course you want someone special to love you. 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No matter what is hard.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cheryl-strayed/and-you-have-to-do-it-no-matter-what-is-true-no-matter-what-is-hard/) [Cheryl Strayed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cheryl-strayed/) > [“Don’t listen to those people who suggest you should be “over” your daughter’s death by now. 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Without it, life has little meaning. It's the best thing we have to give and the most valuable thing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cheryl-strayed/love-is-our-essential-nutrient-without-it-life-has-little-meaning-it/) [Cheryl Strayed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cheryl-strayed/) > [“I never believed the boys were angry. I believed they were hurt and anger was the safest manifestation of their sorrow. It was the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cheryl-strayed/i-never-believed-the-boys-were-angry-i-believed-they-were-hurt-and/) [Cheryl Strayed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cheryl-strayed/) > [“It’s wrong that this is required of you. It’s wrong that your son died. It will always be wrong.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cheryl-strayed/it-s-wrong-that-this-is-required-of-you-it-s-wrong-that-your-son-died/) [Cheryl Strayed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cheryl-strayed/) > [“Your ultimatum is simple. It’s fair. And it’s stating your own intentions, not what you hope theirs will be.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cheryl-strayed/your-ultimatum-is-simple-it-s-fair-and-it-s-stating-your-own/) [Cheryl Strayed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cheryl-strayed/) > [“We aren't poor," my mother said, again and again. "Because we're rich in love.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cheryl-strayed/we-aren-t-poor-my-mother-said-again-and-again-because-we-re-rich-in/) [Cheryl Strayed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cheryl-strayed/) [Explore all 450 Cheryl Strayed quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cheryl-strayed/) ## More Fashion quotes > [“I can either be a victim—or a winner. Fuck victimhood. I don’t wear it well; it clashes with my wardrobe.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-marie-moning/i-can-either-be-a-victim-or-a-winner-fuck-victimhood-i-don-t-wear-it/) [Karen Marie Moning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-marie-moning/) > [Personal Style comes from within. 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When…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie/to-me-the-beauty-of-a-quilt-or-a-dress-lies-within-the-stitches-and/) [Natalie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie/) > [A lesser complaint: hair extensions. 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On one hand, you're saying to have positive body image and love who we are; on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adora-svitak/america-you-re-sending-girls-a-mixed-message-on-one-hand-you-re/) [Adora Svitak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adora-svitak/) > [I didn't want to do 'Fashion Police' because I thought, 'This is stupid, this is beneath me, who wants to talk about fashion?' It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-rivers/i-didn-t-want-to-do-fashion-police-because-i-thought-this-is-stupid/) [Joan Rivers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-rivers/) > [No one knows whom the shoe pinches - no one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sholom-aleichem/no-one-knows-whom-the-shoe-pinches-no-one/) [Sholom Aleichem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sholom-aleichem/) > [Every man must wear out at least one pair of fools shoes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/earl-derr-biggers/every-man-must-wear-out-at-least-one-pair-of-fools-shoes/) [Earl Derr Biggers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/earl-derr-biggers/) > [I have always been too round to do fashion shows.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/heidi-klum/i-have-always-been-too-round-to-do-fashion-shows/) [Heidi Klum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/heidi-klum/) > [My friend made me a leather dress for the MTV awards. It gives you confidence, wearing something you love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cat-deeley/my-friend-made-me-a-leather-dress-for-the-mtv-awards-it-gives-you/) [Cat Deeley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cat-deeley/) > [I've retired my sneakers for stilettos, baby!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vivica-a-fox/i-ve-retired-my-sneakers-for-stilettos-baby/) [Vivica A. Fox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vivica-a-fox/) [Browse all 19,830 Fashion quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fashion/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Until we as a gender refuse to wear any shoe that would be uncomfortable to walk a mile in, we’re perfectly screwed.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Cheryl Strayed" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cheryl-strayed/until-we-as-a-gender-refuse-to-wear-any-shoe-that-would-be/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Fashion" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cheryl-strayed/until-we-as-a-gender-refuse-to-wear-any-shoe-that-would-be/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2c4/cheryl-strayed-605_fashion_until-we-as-a-gender-refuse-to-wear-any_1209297.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2c4/cheryl-strayed-605_fashion_until-we-as-a-gender-refuse-to-wear-any_1209297.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2c4/cheryl-strayed-605_fashion_until-we-as-a-gender-refuse-to-wear-any_1209297.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Until we as a gender refuse to wear any shoe that would be uncomfortable to walk a mile in, we’re perfectly…” — Cheryl Strayed", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Cheryl Strayed", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cheryl-strayed/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Until we as a gender refuse...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cheryl-strayed/until-we-as-a-gender-refuse-to-wear-any-shoe-that-would-be/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cheryl-strayed/until-we-as-a-gender-refuse-to-wear-any-shoe-that-would-be/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```