“We’re the Raging grannies of Kelowna
Raging is our game.
We may have funny hats and ‘brollies,
But we’re raging all the same.”

The Raging Grannies write their own songs and the above verse is the first in their introduction song, sung to the tune of Working on the Railroad.

So what is a Raging Granny and what makes them rage? The movement started in Victoria, BC in 1986 by a group of women experienced in protest and street theatre. Now the Raging Grannies are spouting up all over Canada, the U.S. and elsewhere in the world. Emily Murphy would be proud! They are caring older women who demonstrate and raise their voices in song to heighten awareness of issues relating to peace, the environment, and social justice through satirical songs and skits which they develop collectively. Granny issues are unlimited. They are politically conscious but non-partisan. They tend to tread where they are not wanted so the Granny stereotype was adopted primarily to aid them in gaining access to prohibited places like government offices. They are a generation that in plain clothes may not be taken seriously; however,  when they don their Raging Granny persona and sing their protest songs people, and especially the media, take notice.
 
Shirley Fitzpatrick answered the call to the first meeting held in Kelowna in 1998. Born on Vancouver Island, the daughter of a farmer, she has long considered herself an environmentalist and is active in the Central Okanagan Naturalist Club, Kelowna Peace  Group and The Council of Canadians. Issues are brought to the group by members and once adopted they must begin the process of educating themselves. A current concern for Fitzpatrick is the Trade, Investment and Labour Mobility Agreement (TILMA) which was signed by Alberta and British Columbia without public consultation or legislative debate. This agreement has the appearance of shifting the balance of power in favour of corporate interests and against those of the public. Being a Raging Granny is not for sissies!

The Kelowna group takes part in several annual events including International Women’s Day and the upcoming Candlelight Vigil in memory of Mindy Tran on December 6, sponsored by the Women’s Resource Centre. UBCO World Water Day, and other local events are all attended voluntarily. Although they have never been arrested they were asked to leave Orchard Park just before Christmas when they were singing their protest songs against the purchase of war toys 

The Raging Granny groups – called a gaggle – do not subscribe to a hierarchy of governing themselves and function as a network not a centralized organization. There are none of the usual executive positions but member are free to choose their work from a task list. Their songs are shared and reproduced in song books. They hold “Unconventions” when they gather to share experiences and songs.  There is no age requirement to join the group and a good singing voice is not required. What the women share is a commitment to voice their healthy rage and raise awareness about the state of the Earth that our precious grandchildren will inherit.

For information contact Shirley Fitzpatrick at 860-1576 or visit their website:www.raginggrannies.ca. Worth reading: The Raging Grannies by Carole Roy