By JAN McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Dressed in their aprons, crocheted shawls and flower brimmed bonnets, the grandmotherly women appear doddering and disarming – almost like they should be handing out cookies still warm from the oven.
But when they start singing, that innocent old lady image is quickly dispelled.
These Raging Grannies mean business.
Since last summer, this group of older women in the Bowling Green area have been promoting peace, justice and equality through serenades at protests. While their appearance is sweet, their songs are anything but.
The local gaggle of Raging Grannies was founded by Kendel Kissinger, who was impressed by the organization that began in 1987 in Canada and has since expanded around the world. The Bowling Green branch is the only to be registered in Ohio.
“I’m the founder. I’m the crazy one,” Kissinger said, during the group’s practice on Saturday. Since its first performance at a festival in downtown Bowling Green, the handful of original members has grown to 32.
“People were buzzing about it after the first time they heard us,” Kissinger said of the group’s popularity or notoriety depending on differing perspectives.
The criteria for joining are as loose as a grandma’s old house dress. Singing skills are not mandatory.
“You have to be dressed like a granny,” member Jan Morse said. Some add accessories, like Katie McKibben’s feather duster.
Most, but not all, find their clothing at second hand stores. “Strangely enough, I was able to find all I needed in my closet – which is scary,” Buffi Elwazani said with a smile.
The women cart around their music in a red wagon, making it easier to move around at events. There was talk about adding a kazoo to their performances, and the possibility of a new member proficient at playing an accordion.
Though the women are very serious about the injustices they protest against, they realize the power of using humor to make their points. Instead of shouting at protests, they choose to sing – irreverently.
“It’s another way to raise your voice,” McKibben said.
By taking familiar tunes, and substituting new satirical lyrics, the Raging Grannies attract crowds. Some are lyrics written by other Raging Grannies groups, and a few are homegrown tweaks.
Some examples of their mischievous repertoire include:
- “Have you seen the Epstein files” to the tune of “The Muffin Man.”
- Lyrics of “Unmask the men who are called ICE,” to the diddy “John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt.”
- Channeling of Elvis’ “Love Me Tender” with the lyrics “Make America kind again. Save democracy.”
- The local favorite: “Oh Latta, please just do your job,” to the music of “When the Saints Go Marching In.”
- A new take on Alice Cooper’s “No More Mr. Nice Guy,” with lyrics of “no more Mr. ICE guy.”
Singing ability is optional for members.
“We’re pretty good at winging it,” Kissinger said.
At Saturday’s practice, McKibben brought a new member, Deb Downey. “She asked if we need altos,” McKibben said. “We just need voices.”
When Downey jokingly inquired about the group having a pitch pipe, the women all broke out into laughter.
But as they sang around a table, harmonizing was heard from Morse and Laura Schutze.
The group practiced a variety of songs, defending the Constitution, and targeting troops being sent into U.S. streets, the need for Congress to grow a spine, and bribes becoming commonplace.
Most of the local Raging Grannies drew the line at using the most foul language that showed up in some lyrics generated by other branches. They debated the preferred use of “hell” in place of the “F-word.”
“That’s just not our style,” McKibben said.
“I had my mouth washed out whenever I said ‘heck’ as a kid,” Morse said.
“Me too,” Downey said. “I had my mouth washed with every soap known to man.”
The women spent little time talking politics. But they did express worries about those they have seen protesting ICE in some cities. Many, it appeared, had no training on how to protect themselves during protests.
The “grannies,” reflected on their experience protesting during their youths – learning how to “go limp” and not confront, Schutze said. “They don’t even remember Kent State,” Morse said of many protesters today.
The next scheduled appearance of the local Raging Grannies is scheduled for the next “No Kings Protest” in downtown Bowling Green on March 28.
History of “Raging Grannies” organization
According to its website, the group is totally non-violent and believes in only peaceful protest. The organization provides a positive example of channeling rage and despair.
The Raging Grannies began in 1987 in Victoria, British Columbia, and quickly spread across Canada. The members were anthropologists, teachers, businesswomen, counsellors, artists, homemakers, and librarians. Initially they were reacting to the threat to health and environment posed by the visit of U.S. Navy warships and submarines powered by nuclear reactors and/or equipped with nuclear arms in the waters surrounding Victoria. Members were also reacting to sexism and ageism within the groups they were involved with – relegated to making coffee, they found little receptivity for their ideas.
Qualities needed in members: A sense of humor and an ability both to be objective and to compromise when working with others. Willingness to make noise. An open heart to learn something new. No singing ability. No color sense, obviously. A friendly disposition. Kindness. Scientific curiosity can’t hurt. A sense of history would help.
The Raging Grannies have been referred to as “a kazoo-playing troupe who would rather needle politicians than knit” and “about as subtle as a chainsaw at a church social.”
There is no central structure but they hold national “un-conventions” every two years and regional ones annually, according to the website.
