GRANDMOTHERS ON THE MOVE

From classroom to courtroom, from policy rooms to protest lines, Dr. Socorro Reyes has spent decades fighting for women's rights across Asia and beyond. In this captivating conversation, she reveals how personal experiences – watching her mother navigate a patriarchal household and later becoming a solo parent herself – laid the foundation for her feminist journey.  Her insights challenge us to examine where our movements have flourished and fallen short - and how intergenerational feminism must continue, grounded in work with women at the grassroots, where real change happens at community level. If you enjoy this podcast, let me introduce you to another:  Older Women and Friends, hosted by Jane Leder, janeleder.netor or wherever you listen to podcasts! Support the show

Lynn Gilbert, a celebrated documentary photographer and author, shares her extraordinary six-decade journey capturing often-unseen truths through her lens. A rich, moving and layered legacy: unusual photographs of children in the 1960s, portraits and unexpected stories from feminist icons, rarely seen interiors of traditional Turkish homes, iconic photographs of Denise Scott Brown and Louise Nevelson, and more.  Lynn reveals how her diverse projects are connected by a singular vision: revealing what lies beneath the surface. Poignantly and powerfully, Lynn speaks with great humility and reflection about her own journey, exemplifying an artist’s vision and vulnerability, persistence, and the courage to say ‘yes’ that can lead to extraordinary places – often when we least expect it.  Support the show

Toya Algarin - an innovator, community organizer and educator, is the living embodiment of Grandmother Power, and the founder of Grandmothers4Literacy in Philadelphia. Toya says now that she’s a grandmother she’s walking in her purpose  - and fighting for change: “when I get a seat at the table, I’m going to have a voice and speak for those who are not at the table!” Don’t miss hearing what she has to say, it will lift your spirits and inspire you… her voice and action is what we need to hear in these times! 

What happens when we bring our whole hearts and selves to our activism? Hope Chigudu, a self-described "uncontainable feminist activist" encourages us not to leave our hearts at the gate of our organizations, to revel in radical imagination, bring love and healing to the work, share power, create orgranizations with a soul where we can work with purpose and joy, voice criticsm without fear, and flourish.  I assure you - Hope's wisdom, honesty and insight will inspire, delight and ignite! 

Join the Launch March 17th at 3pm ET and join Grandmothers for Gun  Responsibility - just go to:  https://thegrandmothers.org/ Margaret Heldring never imagined spending her retirement organizing to end gun violence. Yet following the Sandy Hook tragedy in 2012, Margaret - a retired psychologist - found herself leading what would become Grandmothers for Gun Responsibility—a movement that's redefining both how we approach gun safety and what it means to be an older woman activist in America today. Sarah J. Dean, Advisory Council member, shares the organization's journey from a local Washington State group to a national movement launching with 400 attendees, and the way they are changing the narrative around the role of grandmothers, and the issue of gun responsibility. The wisdom of their approach is striking.  The shift in perspective that comes with age is compelling, and the issue is undeniably urgent - you won't want to miss this conversation!  Whether you're a grandmother yourself, someone concerned about gun violence, or interested in how older women's voices can transform social movements, this conversation is for you!  As Sarah beautifully states, "We have the right and responsibility to tell our stories and interpret who we are ourselves, rather than letting stereotypes interpret who we are." Ready to challenge assumptions about both gun safety and grandmothers and become inspired and involved? Visit the website (and attend the launch!) to learn how you can get involved with this groundbreaking movement. https://thegrandmothers.org/

Welcome! This is ilana Landsberg-Lewis, your host for the Wisdom at Work podcast: Elderwomen, Older women and Grandmothers on the Move! What follows is a special and exciting 10-part series... 'Age With Rights and Dignity' - 10 interviews in which we will hear from older and younger advocates from different corners of the world. These committed champions and advocates will share with us why they care about the rights of older persons, and what they are doing to help bring a new United Nations Convention on the rights of older persons into being - for you and me, no matter how old we are now! 

Welcome! This is ilana Landsberg-Lewis, your host for the Wisdom at Work podcast: Elderwomen, Older women and Grandmothers on the Move! What follows is a special and exciting 10-part series... 'Age With Rights and Dignity' - 10 interviews in which we will hear from older and younger advocates from different corners of the world. These committed champions and advocates will share with us why they care about the rights of older persons, and what they are doing to help bring a new United Nations Convention on the rights of older persons into being - for you and me, no matter how old we are now! 

What follows is a special and exciting 10-part series... 'Age With Rights and Dignity' - 10 interviews in which we will hear from older and younger advocates from different corners of the world. These committed champions and advocates will share with us why they care about the rights of older persons, and what they are doing to help bring a new United Nations Convention on the rights of older persons into being - for you and me, no matter how old we are now!

What follows is a special and exciting 10-part series... 'Age With Rights and Dignity' - 10 interviews in which we will hear from older and younger advocates from different corners of the world. These committed champions and advocates will share with us why they care about the rights of older persons, and what they are doing to help bring a new United Nations Convention on the rights of older persons into being - for you and me, no matter how old we are now! 

What follows is a special and exciting 10-part series... 'Age With Rights and Dignity' - 10 interviews in which we will hear from older and younger advocates from different corners of the world. These committed champions and advocates will share with us why they care about the rights of older persons, and what they are doing to help bring a new United Nations Convention on the rights of older persons into being - for you and me, no matter how old we are now!  Support the show

What follows is a special and exciting 10-part series... 'Age With Rights and Dignity' - 10 interviews in which we will hear from older and younger advocates from different corners of the world. These committed champions and advocates will share with us why they care about the rights of older persons, and what they are doing to help bring a new United Nations Convention on the rights of older persons into being - for you and me, no matter how old we are now!  Support the show

What follows is a special and exciting 10-part series...  'Age With Rights and Dignity' - 10 interviews in which we will hear from older and younger advocates from different corners of the world. These committed champions and advocates will share with us why they care about the rights of older persons, and what they are doing to help bring a new United Nations Convention on the rights of older persons into being - for you and me, no matter how old we are now!  Support the show

What follows is a special and exciting 10-part series...  'Age With Rights and Dignity' - 10 interviews in which we will hear from older and younger advocates from different corners of the world. These committed champions and advocates will share with us why they care about the rights of older persons, and what they are doing to help bring a new United Nations Convention on the rights of older persons into being - for you and me, no matter how old we are now!  Support the show

What follows is a special and exciting 10-part series... 'Age With Rights and Dignity' - 10 interviews in which we will hear from older and younger advocates from different corners of the world. These committed champions and advocates will share with us why they care about the rights of older persons, and what they are doing to help bring a new United Nations Convention on the rights of older persons into being - for you and me, no matter how old we are now!  Support the show

What follows is a special and exciting 10-part series... 'Age With Rights and Dignity' - 10 interviews in which we will hear from older and younger advocates from different corners of the world. These committed champions and advocates will share with us why they care about the rights of older persons, and what they are doing to help bring a new United Nations Convention on the rights of older persons into being - for you and me, no matter how old we are now!  Support the show

What follows is a special and exciting 10-part series... 'Age With Rights and Dignity' - 10 interviews in which we will hear from older and younger advocates from different corners of the world. These committed champions and advocates will share with us why they care about the rights of older persons, and what they are doing to help bring a new United Nations Convention on the rights of older persons into being - for you and me, no matter how old we are now!  Support the show

A Leader amongst 23,000 Grandmothers! Jolly Babirukamu, affectionately known as Kaaka Jolly – is one of those leaders who brings light into the world – motivating and mobilizing with boundless energy and deep insights. She is a teacher, Grandmother of 30 grandchildren, and a leader amongst the community of 23,037 Grandmothers at Nyaka, Uganda (founded by  visionary Twesigye Jackson Kaguri 23 years ago, first known to me as an early partner of the Stephen Lewis Foundation). Nyaka is a community-led organization that was founded in response to the devastating impact of HIV/AIDS, and provides free education to children who have lost one or both parents to AIDS, is a part of the Grandmothers Consortium in Uganda, and with resilient and compassioante leaders like Kaaka Jolly, will never waver.    Support the show

Send us a Text Message. Wisdom at Work: Older Women, Elderwomen and Grandmothers on the Move! Episode 67: “Wherever you are on this journey… you are welcome”!  Three powerful voices: Rosalind Pollack Petchesky, Esther Farmer, and Pam Sporn  - elder women activists from Jews for Peace in New York share their insights from a long history of protesting the Israeli occupation, and now the genocide in Gaza.  This small note cannot possibly convey the urgency, determination and intelligence of their organizing, protesting, analysis and lobbying for an immediate ceasefire, and the “horror and hope” of this moment.   Support the Show.

Send us a Text Message. Meet Alda Facio, a feminist activist, educator, creator and jurist whose work has influenced thinking about women's rights from Costa Rica to the United Nations. In this episode, Alda talks about her love affair with the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), and her 2 decades working with multitudes of women's human rights activists in the excellent Women's Human Rights Institute! Her pioneering efforts light the way to show us how the law can be harnessed as a formidable tool for justice and advocacy, and how  a U. N. Convention can unite women across generations and geographies to bring about meaningful change.  Drawing on the inspiring activism of the Mothers and Grandmothers of the Plaza de Mayo, we discuss how love and older women's determination and stature can be powerful catalysts for achieving social justice and equality.  With warmth and irrepressible humour, Alda brings us insights about human rights activism and personal revelations that delight and enlighten.  Support the Show.

Send us a Text Message. Join me for an intimate conversation with Louise Lamothe, a Swampy Cree grandmother and great-grandmother,  whose story is a testament to the healing journeys and deep insights older women and Indigenous ways of knowing and being have to teach us.  There is so much to learn from Louise, as she shares stories of her work as a palliative care nurse around the world, integrating Indigenous practices to nurture spaces of compassion and reciprocity.  Her profound wisdom on ceremony, connection, and respect for the land offers invaluable lessons on bridging gaps created by historical trauma from colonial harms, and creating the possiblity of healing. Louise's travels alongside the many lives of those she has touched, whether in palliative care, or the study and practice of Indigenized expressive arts therapy, and the reflections she shares are deeply moving explorations of love, loss, reclamation, and the enduring healing power of older women's wisdom for all of us, now and into the future.  Support the Show.