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US Campaign Finance Activist Granny D Dies at 100
Politicians across the Granite State are mourning the loss of a Laconia native known for her compassion and a tenacity that was the subject of a HBO documentary titled: "Run Granny Run".
The subtitle of her autobiography was: "You're Never Too Old to Raise a Little Hell." Portsmouth Rep. Jim Splaine was close to the Dublin resident and confirmed that she passed away sometime Tuesday afternoon.
He said news of her death came from her longtime aide and companion.
Splaine described her death as nothing short of "terrible," but said she remains a shining example of a person who cared about her country and wasn't afraid to do something about it.
When asked what he will remember about her Splaine responded: "Compassion."
"In the last 15 years of her life she had been leading a charge for campaign finance report because she would say it is the best way to protect our democracy...to get big money out of politics," Splaine said.
The woman who legally changed her name to "Granny D" was slated to travel to Portsmouth on March 21 for a panel discussion at the public library as part of a Citizen Funded Election Task Force that Splaine said she helped create.
Splaine is on the 12-member panel created by the New Hampshire Legislature as a means of looking at how the state might initiate a "voluntary" citizen funded campaign mechanism that would not require candidates to turn to political action committees for campaign funding.
The Portsmouth representative said Granny D had been attending the panel's meetings in anticipation that they would issue a report back to the Legislature.
Splaine said members of the panel would often tell Granny D she needed to live another 10 years to support campaign finance reform efforts.
"She always had a glimmer in her eye and would say 'God willing,'" Splaine said.
Granny D was born in Laconia in 1910 and celebrated her 100th birthday on Jan. 24 with a "huge party" at the Statehouse on Jan. 28, according to Splaine.
Splaine said she appeared in good health when he last saw her in January, but noted she had been struggling with breathing problems.
The longtime Democrat is known for a grassroots campaign that saw her winning the Democratic primary and running against Judd Gregg in the 2004 election for U.S Senate.
Her run for office at age 94 ended in defeat, but was the subject of a HBO documentary titled: "Run Granny Run."
Splaine said Granny D would have been the oldest U.S. Senator ever to hold office had she won.
A grannyd.com website dedicated to her life indicates she also gained national attention for a 1999 walk across America that saw her traveling 3,200 miles to demonstrate her concern about the need for campaign finance reform - an issue she worked on and was passionate about until her death.
Splaine recalled her arrival in Washington D.C. at the end of the pilgrimage when she was greeted by upward of 2,000 supporters including numerous members of Congress.
U.S. Representative Paul Hodes described Granny D as "eloquent, funny, powerful and one of a kind."
"She was an indeterminable advocate for real reform, a gutsy voice for those who had lost theirs and a constant reminder to all of us of the very best in New Hampshire and in our political process. New Hampshire lost a hero tonight, and while Granny D will be truly missed, she will never be forgotten. The world is a better place for her having walked among us, with us and for us," Hodes said in a statement.
New Hampshire Democratic Party Chair Ray Buckley issued a statement noting that Granny D always stood for Granite State values.
"Her commitment to fair and open democracy should inspire us all to work even harder for reform. She will sorely be missed and always remain in our hearts," Buckley said.
And praise for Granny D isn't just coming from Democratic leaders.
Former New Hampshire Governor John H. Sununu described the woman as an "unwavering advocate for her beliefs" whose efforts inspired state residents to participate in the political process.
"Granny D was an activist in the New Hampshire tradition and our state will certainly be diminished by her passing," Sununu said.
Republican candidate for governor John Stephen issued a statement saying he would remember Granny D for her energy.
"She was committed to making the nation better for future generations, and the enthusiasm she brought to everything she did should energize us all to action," Stephen said.
Splaine said the Citizen Funded Election Task Force will undoubtedly continue to work toward the goals she helped establish.
"She was an incredible woman. I think we are going to figure out a way to make her cause work," Splaine said.
Staff Reporter Adam Krauss contributed to this report.
20 Comments so far
Show AllI mourn the passing of a great old lady, and one of the last of a dying breed apparently, a real liberal activist.
The US needs to adopt publicly financed campaigns in her memory.
They should call it the Granny D Campaign Finance Reform Act.
Now, given that USan elites wear no clothes anymore, and everyone knows about their raw, unapologetic exploitation of the people and defiance of the people's demands, we need a twin bill passed entitled Everybody Kick Elite Ass in Memory of Granny D Act.
Granny D's life was a testament to what individuals and small groups of people can do. Her life was the antithesis of the cynical paralysis that pervades this country. She knew that fear was the opposite of love, and that only through loving service can we hope to find our way free.
Godspeed, Granny D!
Can't be too sad--she didn't die young after all--but I sure want to honor this most marvelous person. I met her, interviewed her about ten years ago, and was so impressed. She will be my role model for old age until I die--no "I'm too old" for her! I once heard of an old activist who had Alzheimers and went along to demonstrations still, counting on the younger people to keep her headed in the right direction. She couldn't remember well, but she still knew which side she was on and wanted to contribute what she could. Admirable--but Granny D was luckier than that, having such good genes that she was still walking cross-country and thinking clearly and giving dynamite speeches in her ninties...at an age when most people aren't doing anything more dynamic than pushing daisies up.
Full points to Doris Haddock for getting the most out of a long life.
Goodbye, Granny D. You will remain an inspiration to us all - may we all "grow up" to be like you someday. Rest in peace, dear lady, but help us to agitate agitate agitate.
Granny D was an amazingly progressive thinker and activist, far beyond the liberalists of the day, she actually did something instead of making small talk about politics as usual over java mocha.
Can't wait to read her book. There are still some very elder activists out here. At one SOA march I was being trampled by the thundering herd and two young big guys came and swooped me up so I didn't die. My Mother at 79 was at a KKK rally and when the fence fell on her, both sides, BOTH, helped get her out and upright again...it was one of those moments.
As with Granny D...NEVERNEVERNEVER stop marching.
DC March 20 watch out for the old farts :-)))
I had the honor and great pleasure to spend a day with Granny D two years ago, driving her from her home to speak in Boston and then back later the same day. She was warm, very approachable, and deeply serious about the difference we can all make for a better society if we put our minds to it. That day she wore a bright-colored smock that the late Molly Ivins had bequeathed to her. Let's remember both these wonderful women, and let our tribute to them be to keep on, steadfast in our work for social justice in all the myriad ways we can.
The 66-34 defeat for Granny D is a symptom of people's tendency to side with candidates who have the most money over honest and principled people trying hard to make a difference for the better. I miss Molly Ivins and now Granny D is added on the list. I don't know when people will learn but one of these days, people will not let their love of money mislead them into voting for the worst. Her spirit lives on and I hope that more people catch on to it before it is too late.
God bless this wonderful woman. Never met her, but I have been more than impressed at her energy, her drive and her life. She is what most of us WANT to be. RIP, and thank you very much for your wonderful, well lived life.
WJM
"She is what most of us WANT to be"
Great comment. I'd add perhaps that she was what most of us ought to be.
Doris Haddock was also an extremely skilled rug hooker. A favorite inspiration was Native American sacred Navajo paintings. Two hang in the Mariposa Museum of World Culture in Peterborough NH.
Thank you Doris for the joy, the fight and dignity !!
collect the facts, engage in negotiation with the adversary, purify yourself and prepare for sacrifice, and take direct action - King's 4 steps in a non-violent campaign.
Goodbye Granny D. You were an amazing inspiration to all of us that served at MPIRG (not part of the national PIRG's) Your visit to our tiny ragtag organization hasn't been forgotten. Nor will your word when you said, "I can't believe all the thought, time and effort you all put into this, thank you." No, thank you.
Cicero: "Freedom is participation in power."
My condolences to her family and friends. Granny D was a source of inspiration to me when I needed it most during some of the darkest parts of the Bush II years. I especially remember shortly after Alito was appointed to the Supreme Court we in the street activist movements didn't really know what to expect next in terms of crackdowns on public protest. Granny D gave a speech in Washington D.C. in the pouring rain before a gathering of 3 or 4 hundred activists from around the country including a bunch of us who had taken busses there to stand-up for the right to protest no matter what the new solid Republican majority on the Court would embolden the Bush/Cheney Junta to do. She had more good common sense, clarity and gumption regarding the direction our country was heading in than any other public speaker I'd heard. She came from a generation of activist protesters with stronger spines and better sense of solidarity than exists in sufficient numbers in America today. She will be missed.
metal
Couldn't say it better, thanks.
You will always be in our hearts, granny d. Rest in Peace and know that we will carry on with your work for as long as we are able.
We love you.
Her voice will be added to Howard Zinn's new edition of 'A People's History' -- to be written among the stars.
I first heard Granny D in Wisconsin 6 years ago where she spoke. I was mesmerized. Afterwards, I went up and told her in all my years that was absolutely the best speech I ever heard. I have gone to her website and read ALL her speeches. She was simply INCREDIBLE.
Well it is never over till it's over. I am so glad that Granny D did not dsecide at 89 that since her life was almost through she might as well retire.
People whose end is more significant than what preceded it surely live the most satisfying lives of all. How significant that even as the end approached Granny D was busy and looking towards the future.
May her indominable spirit find its resting place in the life of a yet to be born future leader.
Poet
She was a real inspiration.
TJ
"Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with all thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, past the grave, whither thou goest." (Ecl 9 :10).