Do you remember Granny D (Doris Haddock) who, at the age of 89, began her walk across the US to promote campaign finance reform? Who, in 2004, at the age of 94, ran unsuccessfully for US Senate in New Hampshire?
Yes or no, you might want to check out "Go Granny D!"
Barbara Bates Smith and Jeff Sebens are touring with a production of "Go Granny D!", which recently showed in Palo Alto, CA.
"Go Granny, D" originated in North Carolina, has played in New Hampshire's Granny D Day, Palo Alto and Tucson.
Their show is a fabulous tribute to a remarkable woman who didn't let age keep her from political activism to the very end. You will laugh, you will be amazed and you will cheer.
More on Granny D from the Granny D website:
After the defeat of Senator McCain and Senator Feingold's first attempt to remove unregulated "soft" money from campaigns in 1995, Doris became interested in campaign reform and led a petition movement. On January 1, 1999–at the age of 89–she began a 3,200–mile walk across the country to demonstrate her concern for the issue, walking ten miles each day for fourteen months. Doris traveled as a pilgrim, walking until given shelter, fasting until given food. With the unflagging generosity of strangers she met along the way, Doris never went without a meal or a bed. She trekked through over 1,000 miles of desert, climbed the Appalachian Range in blizzard conditions and even skied 100 miles after a historic snowfall made roadside walking impossible. When she arrived in Washington D.C., Granny D was met by 2,200 supporters representing a wide variety of reform groups. Several dozen members of Congress walked the final miles with her. Granny D walking with supporters It took two more years to gain passage of the McCain/Feingold bill, during which time Doris engaged in walking fasts around the Capitol, organized rallies in many states, and held demonstrations that twice landed her in DC jails.
In 2003, Doris had her eyes on the upcoming election, and so she drove around the country on a 22,000 mile voter registration effort targeting working women and minorities. This trek was cut short in June 2004, when Doris heard that the presumed Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate in NH had dropped out of the race days before the filing deadline. 94 years old and still eager to "raise a little hell," Doris surprised everyone by deciding to challenge the Republican incumbent. Her insurgent, grassroots campaign defied all expectations. Politicians and pundits alike have lauded the work of this indefatigable great–grandmother of sixteen: “I believe she represents all that is good in America. She has taken up this struggle to clean up American politics… Granny D, you exceed any small, modest contributions those of us who have labored in the vineyards of reform have made to this Earth. We are grateful for you.” Sen. John McCain “Doris Haddock is a true patriot, and our nation has been blessed by her remarkable life.” Jimmy Carter “The problem with Granny D…is that she makes the rest of us look like such schlumps.” Molly Ivins
The two performers, Barbara Bates Smith and Jeff Sebens, are looking for bookings, especially along Granny D's original route.
To book a show, please contact either Barbara Bates Smith at barbarabatessmith@yahoo.com (828-627-8923) or Jeff Sebens (manager/musician) at j.sebens@yahoo.com (276-755-3808).
For more information on the actors and the production, see http://www.barbarabatessmith.com/....