Raging Grannies take spotlight at museum

Exhibit marks activist group’s 30th year

The Raging Grannies activist group is the subject of a new exhibit opening this week at the Canadian Museum of Human Rights in Winnipeg.

The exhibit, part of the museum’s Inspiring Change Gallery, focuses on the original 11 members of the group and marks its 30th anniversary.

The Raging Grannies are known for wearing outlandish costumes and hats and using songs and humour to promote social causes. They also challenge perceptions of older women.

“We go from early 60s to 90s,” said Anne Moon, a 20-year member of the Victoria “gaggle.”

She said the Grannies’ movement has grown considerably since it got its start in Victoria.

“We are continent-wide and every once in a while we hear that there might be a Granny or two in England or Australia doing their own thing,” she said. “But we definitely have gaggles across North America.”

Moon said the group’s message has been consistent: “It’s always the same, unfortunately, nothing changes too much. It’s peace and the environment.”

Victoria members were involved in the local version of anti-Trump protests in January that saw women wearing pink “pussy hats” to protest his derogatory references to female genitalia.

“There were lots of us out doing that, for sure,” Moon said.

Moon said she and the other 13 members of the local group are thrilled to be recognized by the museum. She is one of five who will be travelling to Winnipeg for the exhibit opening.

“They approached us,” said Moon.

“A curator came and visited us about six months ago and started collecting material.”

That material includes boas, buttons, banners “and, of course, the glorious hats,” she said.

Victoria’s Grannies maintain a regular schedule, Moon said.

“We meet weekly, and once a month we have a gig at lunchtime at Fort and Douglas, where we usually hand out a leaflet and sing a song, and try to interest the crowd.”