WISDOM AT WORK: : Older Women, Elderwomen, Grandmothers on the Move!

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

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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.  

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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!

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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.

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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! 

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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!

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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.

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 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! 

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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.  

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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!  

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