Doris "Granny D" Haddock is the wise, eloquent, funny grandmother who gave the last 15 years of her life to getting money out of politics by campaign finance reform, and to embody a populism that is fueled by love, compassion and a bright, clear sense of justice. Hear two speeches she gave in 1999. TUC Radio Archives.
On September 24, 2011, Keene State College, NH, will host a public celebration of the opening of The Granny D Collection with tributes, shared memories and a folk music festival.
Estate of Doris "GrannyD" Haddock
Granny D was best known for walking, in her 90th year, from Los Angeles to Washington DC to tell those she met along the way that there is a way to restore democracy by removing the privilege of money. Among the many proposals for campaign finance reform that she pursued, one national piece of legislation was then under debate, the McCain Feingold Campaign Finance Reform Act - and she is widely credited for galvanizing the public support that helped pass that Act in 2002.
She had worked on campaign finance reform on the state level before her walk and she continued to do so when she returned home in March 2000. For another decade she did vigils, was arrested, met with over half the Senators and about 100 House members. She walked 300 miles across Missouri with the Alliance for Democracy and founded a group that pushed the New Hampshire state legislature to create the Citizen Funded Election Task Force.
Granny D died early 2010 at age of 100. Just before her death, which came very suddenly, she had jokingly discussed with her friends and supporters what it would be like to walk across the country again to call attention to the Supreme Court ruling in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission. In a 5-4 decision, the Court ruled corporations are persons and have First Amendment rights and that the government cannot impose restrictions on their political speech. That decision cleared the way for corporations and other special interest groups to spend record amounts of money to buy Congress and elections.
Granny D left behind a treasure of writings, recorded speeches, and an inspiring diary of her 1999/2000 walk across America - some of which you will be able to enjoy in this double program. The late journalist Molly Ivens said about her: Granny D, gives you "the strength, courage and optimism to keep fighting for change."
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