Grandmothers Aren’t Done Working for Love!
Of course it would be the Grandmothers teaching more of life’s Big Lessons to the rest of us.
They’re organizing and kicking butt on issues of human rights abuse, disease and poverty, illiteracy and environmental disasters. These activist grandmothers are tackling violence and injustice with super-powers of the heart: They are mobilizing their wisdom, devotion and care – call it “grandmotherly cunning” in a good way, acquired from decades of experience managing families, businesses and volunteer organizations. They know what matters in life and for life.
Above all, they are determined to make the world a better place for their grandchildren. Ah yes, that’s another big thing about activist grandmothers, they are utterly unselfish – because the work they do today is all for a better future they are unlikely to see.
Our Grandmothers are expanding their rich and full lives to help a hurting world, not quietly retreating as they grow older (the operative word here is grow, not “older’!).
There is something a bit subversive in a network of grandmothers changing the world, don’t you think?
Kids and Grand-kids, here are just a few of them you should know about and support:
Raging Grannies – Chapters in Canada and US
The first group started in Victoria, British Columbia in 1986 to protest the potential health and environmental risks created by the presence in Victoria Harbour of US Navy nuclear-powered ships. Since then, Raging Grannies groups have proliferated in Canada and the US primarily taking up causes of social justice. There may be a local chapter near you!
Grandmother-to-Grandmother Campaign (Stephen Lewis Foundation)
African grandmothers are central to the life of their communities. They have stepped forward to care for millions of children orphaned by AIDS, sometimes as many as ten to fifteen in one household. They display astonishing reserves of love, courage and emotional resilience, even while grieving the loss of their own adult children. Today, 245 grandmother groups across Canada are helping grandmothers in 15 African countries who are raising AIDS orphans. Canadians have raised more than $33 million for African grandmothers through the Grandmothers to Grandmothers Campaign.
Frontline Oil and Gas Conference – Indigenous Grandmothers Fighting Fossil Fuels
Organizing summit May 16-18 held in the epicenter of Oklahoma’s oil and gas activity in Ponca City, Oklahoma. Coming at the request of Casey Camp Horinek, Ponca Nation of Oklahoma elder, tribal councilwoman and international movement leader, this conference will bring much needed energy and attention to a key battleground state in the fight against the fossil fuel industry. Emphasis on innovative strategies led by frontline indigenous and grassroots communities. Topics on technical training, impacts of industry, Rights of Nature, indigenous rights and allyship, and other skills based trainings.
Global Grandmothers
Global Grandmothers researches child-centered non-profits with the goal of identifying a select group to recommend to you and for the causes important to you. Organizations are selected with a proven track record that span the world and work in the key areas of education, health, crisis aid, and prevention of exploitation. Global Grandmothers advocate Linked Giving — Give to a child in need when you give to someone you love.
The International Council of 13 Indigenous Grandmothers
The International Council of 13 Indigenous Grandmothers represents a diverse mixture of women of prayer. They recently shared the Grandmothers Gathering for Earth Day in Sedona, Arizona. Each grandmother is a leader in her community, having devoted their long lifetimes to prayer and action for the purpose of peace for the next generations. These are the indigenous communities: Temang, Nepal; Takelma Siletz, Oregon; Oglala Lakota, US; Gabon, Africa; Amazonian Rainforest, Brazil; Mazatec, Mexico; Arapaho/Cheyenne, Montana; Mayan, New Mexico; Hopi/Havasupai/Tewa, Arizona; Yup’ik, Alaska; Tibetan, Canada.
