Raging Grannies International Network · Est. 1987
Welcome, friend The International Disorganization Est. Victoria, BC · 1987

Raging Grannies

Using creative and humorous protests for political education.

From the Songbook

We’re Rising Up!

By · Seattle Gaggle · to the tune of Battle Hymn of the Republic

/ We’re the Raging Grannies and we’re here to take a stand, To break the chain of our abuse across this mighty land. We proclaim our dignity, and justice our demand- We're Rising Up today! Chorus: No more rape and no more beatings. Women rise! We're tired of pleading. We’re rising up to tell you that our bodies are our own; We’re Rising Up today! We rise in Seattle // to say it's a disgrace That women’s rights might simply disappear without a trace. We dance and sing and shout out loud to save the human race! We’re Rising Up today! What makes you men think you can take your liberties with us? We're mothers, sisters, aunts and daughters, kickin' up a fuss. Your violations end today, there's no more to discuss! We’re Rising Up today! We dance today for justice, and it’s not just for the sport. We own our bodies; we’ll protect the rights for which we fought The right to step out unafraid; the freedom to abort. We’re Rising Up today! Repeat Chorus
Read full lyrics →
Who we are

The Raging Grannies are a loose international network of women over fifty who use satirical song and street theater as a tool for political education.

Our autonomous gaggles across North America don flowered hats and show up to sing pointed songs about what the powerful would rather keep quiet. We care about peace and justice and human rights and this battered planet, and use a well-aimed song on the steps of city hall to open ears.

By the numbers
Active gaggles
61
Songs archived
1,471
Issue categories
18
Years singing
39
From the archive

The Origin Story

The Raging Grannies
The Raging Grannies
1987

It started on a damp Tuesday in Victoria, BC when a handful of older women decided the best way to get attention for peace was to put on flowered hats and sing.

Read the full herstory →
On the streets

Dispatches

The songbook · by issue

What We Sing About

The network

Find Your Gaggle

61 gaggles across the US, Canada, and beyond. Find one near you, or start your own.

Raging Grannies of Madison
Raging Grannies of Madison
About the movement

Older women, flowered hats, sharp lyrics.

We are not a club, a party, or an organization. We are a loose network of autonomous gaggles united by a shared method: writing satirical songs about the issues that matter and singing them in public.

FAQ

The questions we get most, and a few you haven't thought of yet.

Do I have to be a grandmother to join?

Nope. "Granny" is a state of mind. You don't need grandchildren, and you don't even need children. You just need to care about the world they're inheriting.

What issues do the Raging Grannies sing about?

Whatever needs raging about. Peace and anti-militarism (the founding issue), the environment and climate, healthcare, reproductive rights, racism, economic inequality, ageism, and whatever else needs naming this week. Each gaggle picks its own focus based on what's happening locally.

How do I find a gaggle near me?

Check the map on our Find a Gaggle page. If there isn't one nearby, keep reading. The next question is for you.

Are the Raging Grannies affiliated with a political party?

No. We are not a political party and we are not affiliated with one. Individual grannies hold all kinds of political views. What unites us is a commitment to peace, justice, and the belief that ordinary women can make extraordinary noise. We take positions on issues, not personalities.

Why are the Grannies "Raging"?

The "raging" in our name refers to creative rage: a combination of deep compassion, concern for the future, and a willingness to confront social issues with wit and perseverance. We rage because we care. And we do it with song, humor, and a flowered hat, because nothing catches people off guard quite like strong lyrics coming from sweet little old ladies.

More questions? See our full FAQ →