Closed Captioned
Grades 7-12, College, Adult
Directed by Alidra Solday
DVD Purchase $195, Rent $45
VHS Purchase $195, Rent $45
US Release Date: 2007
Copyright Date: 2006
DVD ISBN: 1-59458-625-X
VHS ISBN: 1-59458-624-1
Subjects
Activism
Aging
American Studies
Anthropology
Biography
Citizenship and Civics
Ethics
Government
Humanities
Law
Leadership
Political Science
Sociology
Women's Studies
Awards and Festivals
Gold Remi, WorldFest-Houston International Film Festival
CINE Golden Eagle
Special Jury Award, Mendocino Film Festival
Bronze Plaque, Columbus International Film & Video Festival
National Women's Studies Association Film/Video Series
MountainFilm, Telluride
Napa Sonoma Wine Country Film Festival
Sacramento Film and Music Festival
FirstGlance Film Fest Philadelphia
Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival
Sebastopol Documentary Film Festival
Finger Lakes Environmental Film Festival
An 89-year-old idealist walks across the country to demand that Washington lawmakers clean up their act by getting the money out of politics.
 |
"You want to know where to get the strength, courage and optimism to keep fighting for change? Watch GRANNY D GOES TO WASHINGTON." Molly Ivins, syndicated columnist |
Granny D Goes to Washington chronicles the extraordinary march across the U.S. by political activist, Doris Haddock. Passionate about democracy, she walked 3,200 miles from California to Washington, D.C. to dramatize the need to restore representative government in America and reduce the role of special interest money in politics. The film records her travels and conveys the infectious enthusiasm Granny D. inspired in the people she met.
With her feisty, unrelenting advocacy for participatory democracy, this five-foot-tall great-grandmother stands up as a role model of commitment and passionate engagement for people of all ages.
Granny D died aged 100 in March 2010.
Reviews
"Granny D Goes to Washington is nothing short of inspirational! In a world where politics too often is viewed with cynicism, it proves that everyone -- young and old -- has a role in the fight to make democracy real. This is a beautifully rendered film about a beautiful person. But it's also about the promise that is America if we each do what Granny did -- stand up for what we believe."
Joan D. Mandle, Ph.D., Exec. Director, Democracy Matters; Assoc. Professor of Sociology, Colgate University
"Granny D, the crusader for campaign finance reform, [is] such an adorably 'sweet old lady' that one forgets how tough she has been and how consistent she has been. You want to know where to get the strength, courage and optimism to keep fighting for change? Watch Granny D Goes to Washington. The documentary of her work is inspiring."
Molly Ivins, syndicated columnist
"A stirring tribute, and an effective object lesson."
Susan Stewart, The New York Times
"This is a riveting story about a woman with guts, told with deftness, economy and a lack of condescension towards the aged that can often make us seniors cringe. It is a beautiful film!"
George Stoney (age 90), Professor of Film, NYU
"I loved it... Every U.S. citizen, young and old, should see this film to appreciate the obligations of citizenship and what can be accomplished by one person on a mission to make life better for all of us. The real message of the film, though, is...to try to be like her. No matter how impossible it might seem, do the thing that your heart tells you. In courageous service to others, you find yourself. Bravo!"
Robert Shetterly, Artist/Author, (I)Americans Who Tell the Truth(I/)
"Granny D epitomizes exemplary citizenship...I found the video to capture the very essence of the wonderful lady....It is a wonderful instructional tool. I am pleased to recommend the video to my colleagues."
Dr. William Shendow, Director, The Marsh Institute for Government and Public Policy, Shenandoah University
"An extraordinary quest! An 89-year-old woman not only walks more than 3,000 miles from California to Washington, D.C. to make a political statement, but also becomes the driving force that changes the way that federal campaigns are financed! Remarkable, tenacious, inspiring, and a true patriot, Granny D is a living lesson in civics. Granny D. Goes to Washington is a 'must see' for the politically enchanted and disenchanted alike."
Janet Keating, Co-Director, Ohio Valley Environmental Coalition
"Informative and inspirational...a refreshing look at one woman's determined effort to make herself heard on an important national issue. It will encourage students to think about how campaigns are financed and the possibility of themselves participating in politics."
Paul Conway, Professor of Political Science, SUNY College at Oneonta
"Her remarkable achievement of rousing support for campaign finance reform while walking across the country is an inspiration to all citizens...An excellent resource for middle school social studies classes and high school units on women's studies, American government, and aging."
School Library Journal
"Alidra Solday's Granny D. Goes to Washington offers an inspirational profile of one woman's passionate commitment to shine a media light on the 'greed and corruption' of campaign finance and urge Congress to pass reforms that would restore representational government to its rightful owners: the people. Recommended."
Video Librarian
"An inspirational film for viewers of all ages, especially recommended for public library and classroom collections."
The Midwest Book Review
"Gives us a warm, personal view of one person working (or walking) to make a difference. Recommended for all libraries."
Stephen L. Hupp, West Virginia University, Library Journal
"Consistent throughout the text is the message that citizens must take responsibility for maintaining self-governance by getting involved and staying involved to the end of the fight...The resulting film is a model of wringing from old age the last drops of service to a country. This film suits the needs of public, middle school, and high school libraries and of civic clubs and senior citizens' enclaves."
Counterpoise
About Granny D
"Doris Haddock is a true patriot, and our nation has been blessed by her remarkable life. Her story will entertain, inform and inspire people of all ages for generations to come."
Former President Jimmy Carter
"She represents all that is good in America -- an incredible woman of iron will and determination. She has a unique place in American political history. We thank her for her commitment to open honest government that the American people can be proud of."
Senator John McCain (R-Arizona)
"She's been an inspiration to members of congress and has served to awaken the consciousness of America in a way that would not have happened without her."
Representative Martin Meehan (D-Massachusetts)
"Doris Haddock set out to walk across America to protest the betrayal of democracy by money in politics. That mission she accomplished...This is no 'innocent' grandmother naively protesting a cause...Granny D is a seasoned activist, an eloquent speaker and writer and an acute observer of the world around us."
Bill Moyers, Journalist