The Raging Grannies of Madison began more than two decades ago as a project of the Madison chapter of the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF). Their first performance, in 2002, supported an anti-war protest. Since then, they have become well known in the Madison community, singing regularly at the Farmers Market and social justice events dressed in their colorful “granny glam.” Their repertoire of over 180 songs reimagines folk and popular music to address issues that are important in their communities, highlighting fun and laughter as they fight for social change. Savvy organizers, they upend ageist and gendered stereotypes of the “sweet and gentle” grandmother to advance their work.
This page commemorates founding Raging Grannies of Madison members, some of whom are no longer with us, and displays items that represent pivotal events in the group’s growth.
Photo of Original Raging Grannies
(L. to R. Sara Williams, Helen Findley, Peg Wallace, Nan Cheney, Rose Sime, Metje Butler, Joann Elder and Mary Sanderson.)
Unknown Photographer
Madison, Wisconsin
Madison Farmers Market, 2008
Reprint
Courtesy of The Raging Grannies of Madison
Photo of Original Raging Grannies
(L. to R. Joann Elder, Trudy Jenny, Mary Sanderson, Marie Siefert and Arlene Kanno)
Unknown Photographer
Madison, Wisconsin
Earth Day, 2004
Reprint
Courtesy of The Raging Grannies of Madison
Protest History
The Raging Grannies have found themselves at many protests over the years, but certain events stand out more than others! Many Grannies often mention the 2011 Labor protests, where several grannies were arrested, and the annual grassroots festival that celebrates the progressive legacy of “Fighting Bob” La Follette called “Fighting Bob Fest”!
Bob Fest Sticker
Unknown
Madison, Wisconsin
Vinyl sticker
21st Century
4x6
Courtesy of The Raging Grannies of Madison
Raging Grannies Postcard
Kimberly Sprecher, Worley Dervish
Madison, Wisconsin
Reprint
21st Century
4x6”
Courtesy of The Raging Grannies of Madison
Forward Award for Grassroots Activism Plaque
Unknown
September 25, 2013
Madison, Wisconsin
Wood, brass
8” x 10”
Courtesy of The Raging Grannies of Madison
The Raging Grannies were awarded the “Forward Award for Grassroots Activism” in 2013 by United Wisconsin for their activist work.
Song as Protest
Singing as a form of protest can be a powerful medium, especially when audience members are encouraged to join in the experience. Raging Grannies songs raise awareness of pressing issues and are set to familiar, catchy tunes that they critically appropriate and make their own. Their protests sometimes bring them where they are not invited to share their message; more than a few Raging Grannies have been arrested over the years! Singing together can be an effective way to gain attention while protesting. While some may find it alarming or surprising, it is also a means of brightening the mood and providing a sense of togetherness.
Watch the video to learn about the process and importance of writing protest songs
"Singing is not a Crime" Button
Unknown
Madison, Wisconsin
21st Century
Aluminum, paper, and plastic
2.2"x2.2"
Courtesy of Suzy Bickley
Explore the Raging Grannies of Madison and Dane County Website for more protest song lyrics like the ones below and to get a better sense of the causes that have energized the Raging Grannies over the years!
Lyrics for "Bring Back my Planet"
Tune: Frankie and Johnny
Air miles make holes in the ozone
Our lifestyle makes lots of debris
They tell me the planet’s in danger
Oh bring back my planet to me
She’s Mother Earth, and we’ve been doin’ her wrong.
Cars emit unburned organics
Monoxide and nitrates and lead
But it’s nearly two blocks to the bus stop
So we’ll drive till the planet is dead
She’s Mother Earth, and we’ve been doin’ her wrong.
Living things need pure, clean water
Without it we won't last a day
Pollution and fracking and misuse --
So many threats are in play
She’s Mother Earth, and we’ve been doin’ her wrong.
Big businesses don’t own the sunshine
They don’t make a buck from the breeze
So they plunder the planet for profit
Oh bring back my planet to me
She’s Mother Earth, and we’ve been doin’ her wrong.
Our planet is warming and changing
There's no doubt that it is our fault
We have to stop fossil fuel burning
And bring this disaster to a halt!
She’s Mother Earth, and we’ve been doin’ her wrong ...
She’s Mother Earth -- let's start treatin' her RIGHT!!
Lyrics for “Hideaway that Fear”
Tune: Hernando's Hideaway, suggested by Kathy Miner Lyrics: Rebecca Alwin & Marjorie Matthews
July 22, 2019
Our fear so often makes us weak
Yet strength from love is what we seek
When some want pow’r/on fear they thrive
Their lust for war we must deprive Ole!
About defense, we're not naïve
We've watched what wars cannot achieve
They don't bring peace, prosperity
For that you need diplomacy Ole!
Higher voices: So don't be fearful, no, don't ever, ever be deceived
Lower voices: There is not one good thing war ever has achieved
Higher voices: It won't allow a pop-u-la-tion to exist in peace
Lower voices: Where neighbors live; love; thrive ; work and play
Higher voices: There's only suff'ring pain and trauma ev'ry night & day
Lower voices: When mere survival is the goal for everyone
All: It's an awful life,
All: Full of fear and strife,
All: Let's end all wa-ar!
Resist your fear, show courage please
And help the desperate refugees
They've lost so much, they've had to flee
Do not scorn their humanity Ole!
We cannot bomb our way to peace
'Cause killing makes more enemies
Make peace not war to show we're great
Disarm fanatic fear and hate! Ole!
Gone But Not Forgotten
Photo of Walking Grannies (Lee Burkholder & Paula Benton)
Bev Mazur
Madison, Wisconsin
2016
Reprint
Courtesy of the artist
Remembering Evelyn Kain
Evelyn Kain was another active member of the Raging Grannies who passed away in 2022. A professor of Art History at Ripon College, she also was a part of the Memory Cloth Circle. This group grew from the 2013 Madison Museum of Contemporary Art Triennial as a Relational Art project at Lakeside Coffee House. Through this local community group, people were given an opportunity to tell stories and embroider their memories. Evelyn’s practice often involved repurposing pieces of old fabric and embroidering political messages on them to respond to social injustice and communicate her hopes for the future. You can see a number of her other pieces throughout the exhibit.
Watch to learn more about the friendships that the grannies have forged over the years and remember Evelyn Kain.
Photo of Evelyn Kain
Bev Mazur
Madison, Wisconsin
Oct 6, 2018
Reprint
Courtesy of the photographer
Democracy in Tatters, embroidered handkerchief
Evelyn Kain
Madison, Wisconsin
2020
Embroidery on Cotton or Linen
Courtesy of the Kain Family
Remembering Marjorie Matthews
Marjorie Matthews was an active member of the Raging Grannies from 2011 until her passing in 2023. Her guitar case, always present with her at protests, prominently displayed stickers to call attention to the issues that most concerned her: economic injustice, militarization, racism, sexism, environmental destruction, healthcare inequalities, LGBTQ+ rights, voting access, support for public education and the need for gun control. In Listen to Your Grandmothers, she wrote, “My greatest commitment musically is to be one of the Grannies. It is a real honor and privilege… I have written a few of our songs, and I am always impressed by the creativity and passion… We inspire and encourage one another to care, to stand up, and to make a difference.”
Marjorie Matthews’ Guitar Case
Marjorie Matthews
Madison, Wisconsin
20th-21st Century
Plastic Guitar Case and stickers
Courtesy of the Matthews Family
Apron with buttons and mini Ursula belonging to Marjorie Matthews
Marjorie Matthews, Laura Delong
Madison, Wisconsin
circa 2011-2023
Cotton, buttons
Courtesy of The Matthews Family
Watch the video to learn about why the Raging Grannies rage and learn more about Marjorie Mathews.
Small Object Memorials
Marjorie Memorial Pins (2)
Sheila Plotkin
Madison WI
2022-23
Yarn, Crochet and embroidery
4” x 3”
Courtesy of the artist
Button memorializing Nan Tilseth Cheney
Raging Grannies
Donated by: Barbara Arnold
Madison, WI
2010
2.4 x 2.4
Courtesy of Barbara Arnold
Often, the grannies will attach a small symbol of a person they are acknowledging to their outfits. After Marjorie passed, many grannies in the Madison group added a crochet guitar in memory of her and her songs. Others are remembered through home-made buttons.
Button memorializing Joann (Jo) Elder
Jo Elder
Madison, WI
1998
2.4x2.4”
Aluminum, paper, and plastic
Courtesy of the Carstensen Family
Marjorie Matthews' Peace Earrings and Pendant
Boris and Marjorie Matthews
Madison, Wisconsin
21st Century
Plastic, foam, metal, and synthetic string
2.10” x 2.10”
Courtesy of the Mathews family