Celebrating International Women’s Day

Posted by on . No comments.

International Women's Day 2013

Grannies Jane, Molly, Ann and Anita at one of the International Women’s Day celebrations held around Barrie on March 8.  This event was held in support of the Women’s & Children’s Shelter of Barrie, at the Army, Navy and Air Force club on George Street.  A program of music, song and dance by talented local women was em-ceed by Barrie’s own comedienne Andrea Murray.

Guest speaker Col. Tammy Harris (and how appropriate was that, given the venue?), Commander of CFB Base Borden, shared the speaker’s platform with three other women in leadership roles at the base.  Against a background photo-stream of women in action in all areas of the armed forces, these four confident women reminded us that women are second to no-one, in ability, stature and rank.

There is still a lot of work to be done, even in enlightened Canada, before women are safe from violence.  Before women and men earn the same for doing the same job.  Before women enjoy full equality.  But we’re well on our way.  Looking back over time we see how far women have come, how much we have achieved already, and of course we can keep going until we succeed.  And we will.

Let’s put services to the poor Under One Roof

Posted by on . No comments.

2013 Busby Centre Under One Roof

Here are some of the BAD Grannies at the David Busby Street Centre on Thursday, January 17, 2013.  We were there to make a small contribution towards a cause dear to our hearts, the Under One Roof project.  It was a small amount, but we hoped showing up and singing will help get Barrie people interested in this initiative.

That means you.  We hope you will support Under One Roof, spread the word, and encourage everyone you know to support it.  Granny Molly, shown below, spoke on behalf of the BAD Raging Grannies to express our active and continued support for this project.  You may see us popping up through the coming year, singing our hearts out about it.

2013 Granny Molly at the Busby CentreSo what is Under One Roof?  It’s based on the commercial concept of the same name, by which small businesses can operate more efficiently and save money by  sharing business premises and services.  It’s also more convenient for customers.  For example, we can often access various medical services in the same building.

What a great idea for social services as well, especially services to people who are challenged and disadvantaged due to poverty, physical and mental health problems, and homelessness.  For a couple of years a number of Barrie organizations have been looking at bringing their services together in one location.  It can be done, and it works, as has been shown in the similar project in Cambridge, Ontario.

The Under One Roof project is spearheaded by the David Busby Street Centre, a drop in centre for the homeless at 45 Collier Street, Barrie, which also provides a variety of much needed services to a variety of disadvantaged communities.  See www.busbycentre.ca.

Other organizations active in Under One Roof include Out Of The Cold, the Salvation Army, and New Path.

The project is now looking for a suitable location, and of course, funding.  Lots of funding.  Please join us and support Under One Roof in any way you can.

An Idle No More teach-in on Land, Food and Water

Posted by on . No comments.

This teach-in is for you if you’re concerned about Land, Food and Water, and who isn’t?  It’s organized by Idle No More, with local groups such as AWARE Simcoe, and the Springwater Park Citizens Coalition.

Thursday, January 17, 2013, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

outside the Ministry of Natural Resources office, 2284 Nursery Road, Midhurst

The teach-in opens and closes with drumming, singing and dancing.

Jeff Monague of Bausoleil First Nation will lead off with a presentation on history and the Indian Act.  Don Morgan of AWARE Simcoe will talk about gathering alliances followed by Les Stewart on saving Springwater park lands.  Richard Peters will then speak on sovereignty, and Elizabeth Brass Elston will wrap things up with a talk on the Crown Forest Sustainability Act and stewardship roles of first nations.

For more info about the teach-in contact Jeff Monague at 705-427-6881.

For Idle No More see www.idlenomore.ca.

For AWARE Simcoe see www.aware-simcoe.ca.

For info about saving Springwater park lands see www.springwaterparkcitizenscoalition.wordpress.com.  You can get their buttons and signs at the Farmers Market (Saturday mornings) on January 19 and 26, Barrie City Hall, 70 Collier Street, Barrie.

Grandmother Power – a book worth reading

Posted by on . No comments.

You might be thinking, Granny Power, Grandmother Power, what’s going on?  Powerful grandmas?

That’s exactly what author Paola Gianturco explores in her latest book Grandmother Power: A Global Phenomenon.  With beautiful pictures and inspiring words Paola presents grandmothers around the world who are making a difference in the lives of their communities.  In country after country, from Argentina to Swaziland, grandmothers are solving problems and turning situations around.

Don’t believe me?  Go to www.globalgrandmotherpower.com and check out this book.  Discover what our fellow grans around the world are achieving.  You’ll be proud to be a gran.  And you’ll be inspired to keep on doing the things you’re doing to make the world a better place for our grandkids all around the world.

Still don’t believe me?  Look at this group of grans.

Grandmothers And Grandothers, Barrie

They are members of Grandmothers And Grandothers in Barrie, part of the Stephen Lewis Foundation’s Grandmothers Campaign.  Through this movement, Canadian grandmothers raise funds so that grandmothers in Africa are able to raise the children orphaned by AIDS.  This is one of the many grandmother initiatives featured in Paola Gianturco’s book Grandmother Power.  (Paola is donating 100% of her royalties to the Grandmother’s Campaign.)

Believe.