October 21, 2011

The past week proved to be a busy one for the Gray Panthers. First, we held our National Board meeting here in Washington, DC. Our dedicated National Board of Directors convened to continue the work of moving Gray Panthers into the future while developing strategies and implementing plans to effectively grow the national organization. As a part of the Board meeting agenda, we incorporate social justice actions into the schedule. After all, ACTION is what Gray Panthers is all about! And in the spirit of the rapid and courageous Occupy movement, we decided to join the protest at Occupy DC at Freedom Plaza.

The spirit of the Occupy Wall Street movement has spread far and wide. Gray Panthers are proud supporters of the Occupy Movement and are joining in its organic growth to promote values and issues and raise visibility for the discontent of masses of people. We empathize with the message of the 99% and feel that the fight for social and economic justice and peace has reached the forefront of national conscious. We will continue to join in and do what we can to help support and sustain the Occupy movement.

Outside of the Occupy DC, Gray Panthers have also participated in other Occupy events include, Occupy Wall Street, Occupy Austin, Occupy Lawrence, Occupy Berkeley, Occupy Tampa, and many others.

Brooke Hollister, Vice Chair, gets us prepared to head down to Freedom Plaza.

Judy Lear, Chair, meets with other protestors and supporters.

Justin Dobbs, Board member, and Brooke Hollister at Occupy DC in Freedom Plaza . Oct. 15, 2011.

Local Gray Panthers Susan Murany and Alice Wallerstein join board members to spread our message at Occupy DC event.

Les Aiserman, from Gray panther of Texas at Occupy Austin event.

David Kingsley, National Board member and convenor of Gray Panthers of Kansas/ Missouri, at Occupy Lawrence event.

We encourage all of you to support the Occupy movement in any way you can. For more information on Occupy actions or events, go to: www.meetup.com/occupytogether/. Be sure to wear your Gray Panthers gear, take plenty of pictures, and let us know which event you are attending by sending an email to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Lastly, the national board members took advantage of the opportunity of being in the nation's capital to descend upon Capitol Hill and spread our message. The board arranged and met with all of the offices of the members of the Super Committee. We sent our message of no cuts to Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid and offered alternative means of reducing the national deficit.

Randy Block. board member and convenor of Gray Panthers Of Metro Detroit meets with Deke Tompkins, legislative aide in Rep. Upton's [R-MI] office.

Board members Judy Lear, Brooke Hollister, and Jim Dawson visit Sen. Kerry's [D-MA] office.

The meetings were very beneficial and informative. One of the most important things that we learned was that our voice was being heard. Yonnick Hammond, an aide in Rep. Jeb Hensarling's [R- TX] office, commented that, "We've heard the drumbeat." It is our responsibility to keep that drum beat going by continuing to spread our message. So we encourage all to take action by contacting your legislators. (Click here to view resources for contacting your elected officials.)

Lastly, The Gray Panthers had a very productive meeting with our allies at the National Committee to Protect Social Security & Medicare. We shared feedback on our Hill visits with the Super Committee members' offices and discussed coalition efforts to strengthen the fight to protect vital social insurance programs currently under attack. As the Super Committee must deliver its recommendations in just one month, the next few weeks will be crucial in our advocacy efforts.

You have our commitment that we will continue to work vigilantly on these important issues. Join forces with the Gray Panthers and help fight for social and economic justice and peace.