Grandmother Power: A Global Phenomenon
Grandmothers worldwide are working to create a better future for grandchildren everywhere. Today's grandmothers — younger, healthier, better educated, and better off than grandmothers have ever been — have launched a new international grandmother's movement.
Stories of collaboration, perseverance and resilience are celebrated in a powerful storytelling exhibit featuring the work of renowned photojournalist Paola Gianturco, from July 28 to September 13 at Mount Mary University in Milwaukee. The free exhibit includes images and stories of grandmothers worldwide who are acting courageously and effectively to create a better future for grandchildren around the globe.
Visitors will have a chance to add their own grandmother to the story, through a special digital interactive experience.
Grandmothers who are collaborating to care for AIDS orphans, are becoming solar engineers, and are fighting environmental degradation are a few of the stories included in the display. A free, audio cell phone tour narrated by Paola Gianturco, will walk visitors through each of the stories, telling personal accounts of women in South Africa, Swaziland, Thailand, the Philippines, Argentina, Canada, the United States, India, Senegal and indigenous grandmothers from around the globe.
The exhibit draws from Gianturco’s acclaimed book by the same name. "Grandmother Power" won ForeWord Reviews 2012 Book of the Year Award for Women's Studies, the 2013 International Book Award for Multicultural Nonfiction, and the 2013 About.com Readers' Choice Award for Favorite Grandparenting Book.
The gallery exhibit, which was developed by Grand Rapids Public Museum in cooperation with Genesis Inc., is making its Milwaukee debut at Mount Mary University with generous support from Brady Foundation.
Marian Gallery is located on the first floor of Caroline Hall, 2900 N. Menomonee River Parkway and is open to the public Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, 1 to 4 p.m. Admission is free.
Are you a grandmother? Do you have a grandmother? Do you know a grandmother? Are you interested in international women’s issues?
Find out more at the following links.
Photojournalist Paola Gianturco has documented women’s lives in 55 countries and created five books, all philanthropic projects. In 2013 she was listed as one of “40 Women to Watch Over 40,” and in 2014, Women’s e-News named her one of 21 Leaders for the 21st Century.