My Grandmother
There is increasing awareness of the older women's experiences of disadvantage. Older women are the fastest growing group of homeless, are more likely to experience Elder Abuse and experience particular challenges at the intersections of ageism and sexism.
The #MyGrandmother campaign engages the community in sharing messages of respect for older women by asking people to share a photograph of their Grandmother and a reflection on what their grandmother taught them. In this way we recognise the significant contributions older women make - and we promote respect.
Banner image: Ashleigh Cole.
The #MyGrandmother campaign engages the community in sharing messages of respect for older women by asking people to share a photograph of their Grandmother and a reflection on what their grandmother taught them. In this way we recognise the significant contributions older women make - and we promote respect.
Banner image: Ashleigh Cole.
Join the Campaign
This campaign is ongoing, to participate:
Check the gallery of photo tributes below and also stories about four wonderful grandmothers that were shared as part of the campaign.
- Share an image of your grandmother (or grandmother figure) or something that represents her
- Write your grandmother's name on the image
- Write what your grandmother taught you on the image
- Write our hashtag on the image #MyGrandmother
- Write your name on the image
- Share the image on your social media and ours.
Check the gallery of photo tributes below and also stories about four wonderful grandmothers that were shared as part of the campaign.
Moana Piwari
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This is #mygrandmother Moana Piwari she is of Māori and Moriori descent. I come from a long line of strong indigenous women who were down to earth, tough (on us kids) and had to overcome some of the hardest challenges that many indigenous cultures face. I look to my daughter, and I see the same self-determination, unwavering strength and kindness my mother and grandmother had. But what I see most is the hard healing work the women before me had to do to break generations of cycles to ensure that their grandchildren and great-grandchildren could have the same opportunity as their peers.
My grandmother taught us mana (Māori: spiritual power, strength and prestige), and my mother taught me always to hold my head up high. They are no longer here, but we carry them in our hearts. Ripeka Koperu❤️ |
Florence "Girlie" Penley
Something lovely happened on the Kindness Pandemic page when we released this campaign - three siblings shared posts and comments their Grandmother, Girlie Penley. The agreed to let us share their stories. See photos of Girlie below.
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- Jacqueline Maria Akers: I loved this woman, she was strong, talented and such a lady. She taught me how to eat properly, how to set the table, how to cook with patience and i cannot believe she ironed everything including sheets, towels, hankies, socks, undies etc etc.... she kept her house neat and clean, not a thing out of place and a place for everything. I lived with her for a while and she was strict and had her certain way of loving and caring that may not have been obvious but you knew it was there. She ruled her family and ran a tight ship and was a clever business woman. She run many different businesses over the years, service stations, car dealerships, started Semprini's gift shop and Music Mouse record shop at Unley shopping centre. Mother of 3 (4 if you count Grandpa) she was before her time. Miss you Grandma
- Angel Bikoumou: #MyGrandmother taught me how to knit, play board games, card games and make the best soft boiled eggs ever with vegemite soldiers and lashings of butter. I have so many memories of her immaculate garden with plums, apples, an archway of passionfruit vines, the biggest walnut tree and fresh strawberries growing underneath with I swear fairies frolicking amongst them. My Imagination flourished as a child in her garden. Magical memories staying with #mygrandmother
- Kenton Penley Miller: One of my favourite conversations I had with her (out of many many years) was when she let me know that my mother had outed me to her... something along the lines of "You think your grandson is so wonderful, well he's gay, what do you think of that?!" "What did you say grandma?" I asked when she told me. "I said to her, well I've coped with having a gay son all these years, she'll just have to as well." I thanked her, and after a pause she added," After all, you can't help it. It's something in the glands." You win some, you lose some. And, when I asked what she thought of her son's partner (now of some 47 years), she paused and said "He has the best recipes!"
Thelma Dolly Crawford - Tuesdays with Dolly
My Nan was 96 when she passed last October. Never took a sick day in her life except when she had her kids. Her community spirit, always volunteering anywhere she could to help people. I’d like to think I got my community spirit from her. I used to meet Nan and my Aunty on a Tuesday at the coffee club for a toastie and some chips. She was happy. She was the best.
When I came out in the 90’s she was the first to say ‘Well, you can’t help who you love’ and loved me just the same. Her last few years on earth were challenging for her. Dementia set in and her frail body just didn’t work as hard as it used to. She used to complain about the ‘oldies’ who were actually about 30years younger than her.
I remember visiting her one time and she said to me ‘“Where’s your boyfriend?” My heart sank to my feet. I hadn’t had to come out for years. What do I say? I was worried she might not be so accepting this time round. Dementia can do weird things to the mind. My Nan was my rock. How would I cope If she didn’t accept me? Anyway I bit the bullet and stayed true and said I had a girlfriend. She looked at me and said “oh that’s right”. My relief was profound. Two seconds later she said “where’s your boyfriend”. I just started laughing and she laughed and we both ended up laughing uncontrollably. Nan was caught in a loop. 🤣 Bless her.
RIP Thelma Dolly Crawford.
Jo Bangles
When I came out in the 90’s she was the first to say ‘Well, you can’t help who you love’ and loved me just the same. Her last few years on earth were challenging for her. Dementia set in and her frail body just didn’t work as hard as it used to. She used to complain about the ‘oldies’ who were actually about 30years younger than her.
I remember visiting her one time and she said to me ‘“Where’s your boyfriend?” My heart sank to my feet. I hadn’t had to come out for years. What do I say? I was worried she might not be so accepting this time round. Dementia can do weird things to the mind. My Nan was my rock. How would I cope If she didn’t accept me? Anyway I bit the bullet and stayed true and said I had a girlfriend. She looked at me and said “oh that’s right”. My relief was profound. Two seconds later she said “where’s your boyfriend”. I just started laughing and she laughed and we both ended up laughing uncontrollably. Nan was caught in a loop. 🤣 Bless her.
RIP Thelma Dolly Crawford.
Jo Bangles
Lila May McKenzie (Mum-Mum)
Please meet our awesome Grandmother, Lila May McKenzie.
She left this world in 1993. Aged 71. As you can see...Mum-Mum played the drums. From the age of 17 until her passing. Super cool!!!She would attend weekly dances for her community of elderly friends. Playing in an Ole Time Band. Along with her husband (Papa), until his passing. An era that they grew up with & that my cousins and I grew up with. Everyone would get together, waltzing around on the town hall floors. Drinking cups of tea and eating the most amazing homemade cakes. Kylie Chantelle & I...would frequent these dances, and they were some of the best memories as a child.
Mum-Mum never stopped!
There was nothing that she could not do and she was under 5 foot! A wee pocket rocket!! An avid member of the community in her wee town and loved by so many. She is our greatest inspiration of what a strong, kind, loving, non-judging & selfless soul, we should all be.
Mum-Mum lost her first born daughter Joan. Aunty Joan was only 16. It was a sad time for her. For the family, but she was the driving force of that family. She then lost her husband, Papa, in 1977. I remember that day so well. My first loss. I was 5....and through it all, my grandmother never gave up the fight, when she could have. I saw strength through her broken heart. So grateful for her influence. For being one of my greatest teachers of life. I was only 21 when we lost her, I am almost 48. Mum-Mum is a woman who I continue to look up to, and feel blessed to have had her teach me how to be strong & kind, at the same time.
I'll forever miss her cheese toasties, fluffy milo's, ginger fluff sponges (OMG), loud T.V., our 2 hour telephone chats, her long white nighties & putting her hair in rollers....but most of all...I'll always miss her unconditional love. A truly amazing rocking grandmother was our Mum-Mum #barwonkindnesspandemic
Kezz McKenzie
She left this world in 1993. Aged 71. As you can see...Mum-Mum played the drums. From the age of 17 until her passing. Super cool!!!She would attend weekly dances for her community of elderly friends. Playing in an Ole Time Band. Along with her husband (Papa), until his passing. An era that they grew up with & that my cousins and I grew up with. Everyone would get together, waltzing around on the town hall floors. Drinking cups of tea and eating the most amazing homemade cakes. Kylie Chantelle & I...would frequent these dances, and they were some of the best memories as a child.
Mum-Mum never stopped!
There was nothing that she could not do and she was under 5 foot! A wee pocket rocket!! An avid member of the community in her wee town and loved by so many. She is our greatest inspiration of what a strong, kind, loving, non-judging & selfless soul, we should all be.
Mum-Mum lost her first born daughter Joan. Aunty Joan was only 16. It was a sad time for her. For the family, but she was the driving force of that family. She then lost her husband, Papa, in 1977. I remember that day so well. My first loss. I was 5....and through it all, my grandmother never gave up the fight, when she could have. I saw strength through her broken heart. So grateful for her influence. For being one of my greatest teachers of life. I was only 21 when we lost her, I am almost 48. Mum-Mum is a woman who I continue to look up to, and feel blessed to have had her teach me how to be strong & kind, at the same time.
I'll forever miss her cheese toasties, fluffy milo's, ginger fluff sponges (OMG), loud T.V., our 2 hour telephone chats, her long white nighties & putting her hair in rollers....but most of all...I'll always miss her unconditional love. A truly amazing rocking grandmother was our Mum-Mum #barwonkindnesspandemic
Kezz McKenzie
Gallery
Here is a sample of the images and stories that members of the Kindness Pandemic, the Older Women's Network of New South Wales and the broader community shared with us.
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Respect for older women
When artist Ashleigh Cole contacted us to volunteer for a Campaign, the first thing we saw was her amazing art. The next thing we saw was her respect for older people. When asked Ashleigh if there was a particular campaign she would like to work on she said she was passionate about older people. We are too Ashleigh! We invited Ashleigh to share the story of what her Grandmothers had taught her - stories below. Thanks Ashleigh.
This is #MyGrandmother Barbara. She’s taught me to arise above the hard times and to believe in myself. She’s a great listener and a strong supporter of me in all my ventures. I’ll be forever in her awe for how incredibly strong she is in light of what she has faced. Ashleigh Cole
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This is #MyGrandmother Maxine. She’s taught me the value of appreciation and acceptance of others. She is always kind and warm towards people, encouraging others to also call her Nanna as a way of making them feel at home in her home. Ashleigh Cole
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Partners
This Campaign is a collaboration between The Kindness Pandemic (part of the Celebrate Ageing Program) and the Older Women's Network of New South Wales. A very special thankyou to Artist Ashleigh Cole for the banner art and message to her grandmother.
Contact us
- Dr Catherine Barrett, Founder and Director The Kindness Pandemic: [email protected]
- Yumi Lee, The Older Women's Network of New South Wales: [email protected]
- Ashleigh Cole, Artist: [email protected] or facebook and instagram
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