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New Podcast Titile :) Grandmothers on the Move is now:  Wisdom at Work: Older Women, Elderwomen, and Grandmothers on the Move! This week I bring to you Grandmothers for Refugees from Australia. Thoughtful, personal and political - from "Grandmothers Unite! to jolting others out of their comfort zones to rally against the egregious treatment of refugees in their country, these three Australian grandmothers and their peers are taking a stand for decency, democracy and connection. Join me in listening to the Wisdom at Work of Elizabeth Cox, Jane Touzeau, and Janine Laurence.

Welcome back to Grandmothers on the Move for a tremendous intergenerational conversation about wellness, Elderly women's wisdom, and the creation of a powerful Tanzanian organization by Rustica Tembele and her daughter Neema Tembele - Tap Elderly Women's Wisdom for Youth!   "Grandmotherly Wisdom meets WHO's mental health Gap Action Program", TEWWY's website reads;  mobilizing the power of elderly women trained in creating safe spaces, interpersonal counselling,  Wisdom&Wellness Circles and more.  Rustica and Neema have a vision: answering the need for youth & community access to mental health support, and the equally compelling need to tap into older women's wisdom to build and strengthen that well-being and resilience.  Don't miss this inspiring conversation, and visit TEEWY's website at: https://tewwy.org/

 Patsy George,  a champion for human rights, shares insights from her remarkable range of endeavours - from policy and government to mobilizing for change! Dynamic, energetic and with a palpable decency and generosity of spirit, "Strengthening Communities to Speak for Themselves" reflects Patsy's principled and inspiring approach in all that she has done, and continues to do! A visionary with great modesty, Patsy has been a strong advocate for immigrant women and marginalized and underserved communities in a myriad of powerful ways.  Join me in this conversation with someone I am proud to call friend and mentor.   

Neglected No More-The Urgent Need to Improve the Lives of Canada's Elders in the Wake of a Pandemic by André Picard (March 2021). My friends, even if you are not from Canada this book is a must-read, -- André has insights that will challenge and inspire!  André's Picard's newest book provokes incredulity, outrage, admiration and hope that there are some beacons to light the way forward when it comes to Long Term Care and the desperate need for a reset!!  An urgent conversation with a truly humane, decent, award-winning journalist/health reporter, and expert on one of the most pressing issues of our times. Here's to aging with dignity, vigour and respect for rights!

A Revolutionary Borne of Necessity:  Meet Nora Morales de Cortiñas -last active member of the iconic Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo resistance movement in Argentina. Still without closure in the struggle for justice for her ‘disappeared’ son Gustavo (taken by the Argentinian dictatorship in the ‘70s). Affectionately known in Argentina as “Norita”, she is a guiding light amongst a new generation of activists–fighting for human rights on all fronts, from decriminalization of abortion to challenging the crippling debt systems of the IMF… she carries on with passion, panache, and integrity. Light our way, Norita!  Jason McNamara’s documentary is coming soon ***click this link  https://www.filmindependent.org/programs/fiscal-sponsorship/norita/ to watch the trailer and be moved to tears, and…action! 

World Read Aloud Day - February 3rd, 2021 - The "3Ps" of Reading: Pleasure, Passion and Power for transformation.  Punctuate this important day with two advocates championing the critical importance of storytelling, reading and reading aloud, the right to literacy, and the powerful impact of sharing the joy of reading and books with children! Dr. Karen Burke of Scholastic Books, and Malcolm Mitchell - famous for football, beloved for his books and sharing his discovery of reading as his "greatest achievement" - determined now to share it! Two people devoted to literacy, children, and making every day a celebration of the transformative power of reading... one a grandmother, and one 'channelling his inner grandmother'! Part 2: Dr. Karen Burke

World Read Aloud Day - February 3rd, 2021 - The "3Ps" of Reading: Pleasure, Passion and Power for transformation.  Punctuate this important day with two advocates championing the critical importance of storytelling, reading and reading aloud, the right to literacy, and the powerful impact of sharing the joy of reading and books with children! Dr. Karen Burke of Scholastic Books, and Malcolm Mitchell - famous for football, beloved for his books and sharing his discovery of reading as his "greatest achievement" - determined now to share it! Two people devoted to literacy, children, and making every day a celebration of the transformative power of reading... one a grandmother, and one 'channelling his inner grandmother'! Part 1: Malcolm Mitchell

Grandmothers on the Move Episode 54 brings you Ma-Nee Chacaby, and a powerful conversation about her book,  A Two-Spirit Journey: The Autobiography of a Lesbian Ojibwa-Cree Elder. This book is a must-read... it just IS...tremendously profound and important; the knowing of Ma-Nee's life, her challenges, coming-to-self, her beloved Grandmother, her teachings, her towering resilience, her tireless activism and leadership, her mischievous and endearing laugh.... everything about Ma-Nee Chacaby is a gift.  

This week on Grandmothers on the Move, I have the pleasure of speaking with Paula Wharton. I think of her as the Grandmother-Convenor.  She has marshaled her emotional resources more than once to move forward in her life.  And, powerfully, Paula has played the role of convenor, facilitator and motivator for many others, whether it's in the family, at the university where she taught, or in her community in Sudbury, Ontario. I guarantee, by the end of this interview, you will wish that you could drop by, sip some tea with her, laugh and ruminate, and fall in love with Paula's keen wit, ready laugh, and searing honesty, just as I did!

Grandmothers on the Move Episode #52: We Feminists Dared to Step Into the State! A daring, dynamic feminist duo, Jacqueline Pitanguy and Branca Moreira Alves… two organizers of the feminist movement in Brazil in the 1970s share their invaluable insights on feminist organizing, governing, movement building in the context of brutal dictatorship, and the book they are writing to share it all! Such passion, incisive analysis, transformative work nationally and internationally, and the joys of grandmotherhood – this is a rich and compelling conversation with generous women who embody the true meaning of leadership.  A balm for the soul in challenging times.

Grandmothers on the Move, Episode #51 Meet Chandni Joshi, a tireless advocate for women’s rights from Nepal, who has never wavered in her determination to amplify the voices of grassroots women - in national government platforms to the international stage.  From her compelling love affair with her grandchildren, to her days running the South Asia UNIFEM regional office, to Chairing the Women Friendly Disaster Network she founded, this is a Grandmother who reminds us that grandmothers are the elder stateswomen in our midst! 

A Life of Commitments and Connections - Claudette London shares reflections and learning in a conversation that just touches the surface of the expanse of the relationships and support networks she has created through her work with diverse communities. Claudette brings her insight and gift for connection to all, including the many young people in her life!

People Must Not Tire! Achola Pala Okeyo is one of the voices we need to hear in this historic moment. Her career spans research, policy, community building, & advocacy - with a national, regional and global reach, including significant contributions at the U.N.  You'll want to hear her powerful insights, expertise, strong feelings and guidance on the extraordinary times we are living in, from COVID 19 to the movement to defeat anti-Black racism and intergenerational learning and yearning.

 These self-named Badass Grandmas for Democracy (as they say, Grandchildren not required!) took on the establishment in North Dakota to fight corruption – and won! Their mission: To engage you in restoring trustworthy govt. for generations to come. They mobilized citizens, they marshalled their expertise and moxie, and with humour, determination, principles and a deep desire for decency to be restored, they started a movement! Ellen, Dina & Kathy are just…fabulous! I spoke to them before the pandemic, and I know they’ll bolster our hope that there’s much more to come once we move past these profoundly challenging times! 

Grandmothers on the Move Episode 47 -- In a Time of Crisis: Women we need to Hear.  Today, Florence Butegwa, Ugandan feminist lawyer, long time women's human rights activist, U.N. leader - she is one of the women to whom I look for guidance when there are tough situations to navigate.  Florence shares her thoughts in this moment, and emphasizes that we will need to hear from a great many women as we find our way through this global health crisis and into a more sustainable, resilient and hopeful future.  

Grandmothers on the Move #46 March 2020 Series “Reprieve and Refuelling”: Natalie K. Levant instantly warmed my heart and made me want to rush to Philadelphia (pre-solidarity-distancing!) to hang out for hours and then watch her show! Comedy, tattoos, the twists and turns of life… reflecting on speaking truth in comedy and social justice activism.  Natalie is so clearly a most generous comedian, friend, iconoclast and the ‘bestest’ kind of disrupter!  

Reprieve and Refuelling – ideas from the frontline of activisms to fuel our spirits in troubled times!  Ana Falú, an Argentinian architect, professor, activist and long-time women’s rights leader/agitator/visionary is riveting in her reflections on life in exile, building bridges to strengthen women’s movements, and grandmotherhood reinforcing ‘the private is political’!

Grandmothers on the Move Episode #44,  The Joy in Connection! I Can still be Up and At'em!  The engaging, insightful Patt Schroeder - facilitator extraordinaire at Well Connected - a wonderful programme about which you should really hear more!! An innovative, powerful programme with connection, community and compassion at its heart.  But these conversations aren't pablum - they are vigorous, engaging, gentle when they need to be, authentic, and they can get REAL!!  Patt's generosity of spirit and keen observations make her the perfect Ambassador and Facilitator... real admiration for her consummate skills! 

Grandmothers on the Move Podcast #43 brings to you deep reflections from my superlative guest, Madhu Bala Nath.  Lyrical, practical, wise and perseverant, Madhu speaks of what has been accomplished to advance gender equality, "what we missed", and what must come next! A storyteller with vast experience and hundreds of lessons and lives informing her insights... from India to Afghanistan, from policy change to activism - you won't want to miss the wisdom Madhu shares with such humanity.  Be sure to pick up her new book (on amazon) May I have Your Attention Please: Rethinking to Reclaim Rights!!

These Jobs Should be Done by Older People! The delightful and insightful Erzsebet Andreanszky, from Hungary, speaks about her life in Lebanon as a young mother, her ‘accidental’ life as a humanitarian aid worker from Iraq during the war to Syria, an engineer and a celebrated painter!  An older woman and grandmother who breaks through stereotypes with humility and unfailing integrity! Her perspective is fascinating, her many pursuits extraordinary… she exemplifies a grandmothers on the move!