CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. –The Southeast Missouri Department of Athletics hosted its 12th Annual Cindy Gannon Walk for Women at Houck Field House Saturday morning.
 
The longstanding event, named after Walk for Women founder and former SEMO Senior Associate Director of Athletics Cindy Gannon, raised over $40,000 for athletic scholarships this year. 
 
"Special thanks to everyone who supported this outstanding event again this year," said Director of Athletics Brady Barke. "The Cindy Gannon Walk for Women continues to be a great family-friendly event that showcases all of our student-athletes and particularly our women's programs. This special day has a huge impact on our current and former student-athletes."

A large group of SEMO student-athletes from several teams volunteered their time to help make this year's Walk for Women another huge success. Student-athletes assisted with face painting, balloons, door prizes and other activities.
 
After Southeast President Dr. Carlos Vargas welcomed the crowd of approximately 350 participants, Barke and Redhawks women's basketball player Carrie Shephard followed with remarks.
 
All walkers then went on a 30-minute trek through Southeast's picturesque campus. The route ended at Houck Field with walkers going through a tunnel formed by the Redhawk football and men's basketball teams.
 
The 2019 Walk for Women concluded with awards presented to the winning teams. Montgomery Bank won the Bank Challenge, Terri Penrod & Associates, Realty Executives won the Realtor Challenge and Rowdy Soles won the Campus Challenge.
 
Another highlight of the event is the special presentation of the Kim Mothershead Award which was established in 2011 in memory of first honorary walk chair Kim Mothershead. Each year, this award is given to the team that raises the most money in Kim's honor. Rowdy Soles was the winning team of the Mothershead Award.
 
The idea for the Walk for Women was initially developed by Gannon as a way to recognize the accomplishments of Southeast's female student-athletes, while helping to raise money to support athletic scholarships. Since its inception in 2008, Cindy has helped guide this event, which has raised more than $500,000 for athletic scholarships. 
 
On April 8, 2017, Barke announced that in appreciation for the long commitment to the Walk for Women event and her efforts to champion women's athletics, the event would be named in her honor and  be known as the Cindy Gannon Walk for Women.