Upper Darby’s Rader is a senior activist for peace
As a dedicated peace activist, Alice Elle Rader of Upper Darby has participated in numerous activities. She’s been in marches and demonstrations, she’s lobbied elected officials, handed out flyers, helped get petitions signed, and more. At 72, she’s not about to slow down Rader is a member of the Philadelphia area chapter of the Granny Peace Brigade. As the word ‘brigade” suggests, this is an army of strong women committed to their cause.
“We the Granny Peace Brigade stand for peace,” reads their mission statement. “We oppose war…and are committed to the struggle to make a safe and peaceful world for all children and grandchildren…”
Being an actual grandmother is not a requirement for the group but its members are definitely seniors. They meet twice and month and they receive frequent emails informing them of a wide variety of events.
“Then, at our meetings, we express interest in what we want to participate in,” said Rader. “There’s such a rich variety of choices.”
The Grannnies participated in the Women’s March on Philadelphia, a “sister” event to the Women’s March on Washington in January.
Rader and other Grannies joined thousands who marched and then gathered at Eakins Oval on the Parkway in Philadelphia. There, the Grannies even had their time in the spotlight when they were called up to the stage.
“We shared a song, ‘Singing for Our Lives,’ related Rader. “Then we had people singing along with us with each verse. Afterwards, people in the crowd starting shouting ‘Grannies! Grannies!’”
Like the other Grannies, Rader was wearing her signature Granny t-shirt reading “We will not be silent.”
At other events, too, the Grannies have enjoyed singing as part of their participation. One of their favorite songs is: “We are a gaggle of Grannies/ Urging you off of your fannies.”
Dance is another occasional activity for these high-energy Grannies.
“We often include dance and invite people to join us in dancing for peace,” said Rader, who studied dance at Temple University. Her Master’s thesis was about “the universality of sacred dance.”
The versatile Rader has even brought her drums to some marches, such as the one protesting the Dakota Access Pipeline. Drumming is a specialty - she has several sets at home in Upper Darby - and she’s used them for other marches, too.
Often the Grannies join with other peace groups. In March, they joined the annual Interfaith Walk for Peace and Reconciliation. . “It’s a powerful experience, engaging people of diverse religions and background,” said Rader.
Holidays often keep the Grannies especially busy. On Mother’s Day, the Grannies went to various places in Philadelphia, handing out flyers about their commitment to a peaceful world for all children and grandchildren.
On Thursday June 29, preceding the weekend celebration, the Grannies were at the Constitution Center distributing fortune cookies with the message, “Honor veterans. No more war”.
On July 4, they were at Independence Hall in the morning, when a military award was part of the program. The Grannies held up a banner, again with the message to honor veterans and put an end to war.
Rader participates eagerly in these events. But even when she’s at home in Upper Darby, she’s l busy with Granny projects. One favorite activity is making signs for the marches. One sign she made, 12 feet long, is the Granny Peace Brigade motto, “We Will Not Be Silent.” Another one is from the famous peace song, “When Will We Ever Learn?”
“It’s very satisfying to do this, because signs are unifying,” she said. “People even take photos of them.”
Rader’s career as an activist began long before she joined Granny Peace Brigade. It was in l964 when she went to Birmingham, Ala. for a civil rights activity, “Books for Birmingham.” Participants collected books for a black college.
“I got involved in the civil rights issues and it turned my life upside down,” said Rader.
Then, from l967-69, she and her husband Mark spent two years in Honduras.
“That’s when I questioned what was going on with the U.S. military and began to look more closely at our foreign policy,” she said.
“So it was a natural unfolding for me to look at issues of peace and social justice,” Rader said. “And it led me to connect with people who are interested and active in the same issues I was.”
It was at a Quaker retreat that she first met a member of the Granny Peace Brigade. That led to attending her first meeting.\ “I was immediately impressed,” she said. She’s been a committed Granny ever since.
“It’s been an incredible blessing in my life,” Rader said ” All of us share a commitment that keeps us connected and grounded. This kind of friendship is priceless.”