Raging Grannies are here, Niagara, and have something to say

Niagara News – March 15, 2025
“To be quite honest, who listens to senior women? Not very many people. But put us together and let us dress
up hilariously and maybe some folks will listen.”

By Karena WalterReporter for the St. Catharines Standard
They’re loud, they’re motivated and they’re not afraid of funny hats. A new Raging Grannies group has formed in Niagara and members are ready to protest for social justice and change in their unique way with songs, peace and outrageous accessories.
“We want to get the message out about a lot of things, whether it’s homelessness or environmental issues, for people who haven’t really thought about them,” said Jeanette Liberty-Duns, one of the founders of the local group. “We do them in such a manner that people kind of think they’re funny but, hopefully, they get the message.”
The peaceful activist organization started in British Columbia in the 1980s and has since spread to communities across the country and beyond. Groups are not associated with any political party and raise awareness about issues touching any level of government.
Most people can spot the Raging Grannies by their hats and humorous songs of protest.

“Everybody loves the Grannies. Except, of course, the people that you’re protesting against,” said Liberty-Duns, who was part of the Raging Grannies in Saskatchewan for about 25 years before moving to Niagara five years ago.
She did a presentation about the Raging Grannies last year in St. Catharines at Silver Spire Church’s SilverFest, an event aimed at older adults.
That talk inspired the recent formation of the local group, which attracted about 20 women — and one brother with a guitar — through word of mouth in the past few weeks. She said the group is hoping to be out once a month and its members will decide together which issues they think people need to hear about.
When Liberty-Duns was in Saskatchewan, the group tackled a wide range of topics, ranging from local concerns about the lack of a community centre and bike lanes to more far-reaching issues.
“We think about what’s happening that’s going to make a difference in the lives of our grandchildren. Because, you know, for most of us, we’re not going to be around that much longer,” she said. “Who knows, we might even be in favour of some of the things the government does. And if we are, we’ll give them credit for it.”
The Niagara group debuted its singing voices at Market Square in St. Catharines in February, encouraging people to vote for justice issues in the provincial election. It was an unexpected start when members were evicted from inside the building and had to resume singing
outside due to Market Square rules, though they’ve met with city security since then to smooth the way for future appearances.

Member Jan Carrie Steven said the group is full of wonderful, deeply caring women who want to work toward a better world for everyone’s grandchildren. That means supporting the common good and improving the social determinants of health for people.
“There’s many things I like about the Raging Grannies. It’s peaceful and it’s honestly kind. We can get punchy, but not nasty, and that really, really matters to me,” Steven said. “There’s this wonderful phrase about extending the table versus kicking it over. As a Raging Granny, I want to extend the table. I want to be able to reach out to more and more people about the concerns, that are really concerns that everyone has.
“We’re all in a better place when we have access to the things that make life good and that are necessary.”
Steven said it’s also wonderful because members get to use their voices. “To be quite honest, who listens to senior women? Not very many people. But put us together and let us dress up hilariously and maybe some folks will listen.”
Liberty-Duns said anyone interested in learning more about the group or joining it can check out its website at raginggranniesniagara.ca or the Raging Grannies Niagara Facebook page. It can also be contacted by email at info@raginggranniesniagara.ca.
Despite being Raging Grannies, there’s no minimum age to join.
“We’ll take them any age. You just have to be willing to wear a silly hat and be out there protesting,” said Liberty-Duns. “We wear shawls and some of us even wear boas. Anything to draw attention.”

Karena Walter is a reporter with the St. Catharines Standard, primarily covering City Hall.