Author Archives: Marcia Ward

100 Grannies book donation to ICCSD for 2026

Posted on May 19, 2026 by Marcia Ward

Each year since 2015 the 100Grannies have been donating books to the Iowa City Consolidated School District. The teachers and librarians at the schools make the book selection and 100Grannies funds their choices.  The books selected for 2026 are shown … Continue reading →

Posted in Education | Comments Off on 100 Grannies book donation to ICCSD for 2026

Little Village Newspaper publishes 100Grannies LTE

Posted on May 12, 2026 by Marcia Ward

Little Village is a free newspaper widely available throughout the Johnson County area. On May 12, 2026, Little Village published a letter to the editor written by Becky R., a 100Grannies Steering Committee member, titled “After 15 years, 100Grannies is … Continue reading →

Posted in Activism, Steering Committee | Comments Off on Little Village Newspaper publishes 100Grannies LTE

Get-together to sew reusable cloth grocery bags

Posted on April 23, 2026 by Marcia Ward

Grannies gathered on April 22, 2026 to sew a bunch of reusable cloth grocery bags to give out at HyVee tabling. The gathering was open to experienced sewers, beginner sewers, and even non-sewers who helped by cutting fabric to size … Continue reading →

Posted in Activism, Bag Committee, Recycling | Comments Off on Get-together to sew reusable cloth grocery bags

Guide to using AI for writing activism

Posted on March 29, 2026 by Marcia Ward

Using Chat GBT Open-Source AI for Writing Activism – Guide compiled by Deb G. ChatGPT is an AI-powered chatbot created by OpenAI. It’s designed to have natural conversations with users and assist with a wide range of tasks, like answering … Continue reading →

Posted in Activism | Comments Off on Guide to using AI for writing activism

Guide to anti-CAFO activism

Posted on February 22, 2026 by Marcia Ward

CAFOs are Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations and they are stinky, dangerous polluters, and ubiquitous in Iowa. Below are suggested guides to anti-CAFO activism compiled by Deb G. The Problem with CAFOs  As we Grannies are excruciatingly aware, animal agriculture is … Continue reading →

Posted in Activism, Diet & Climate | Comments Off on Guide to anti-CAFO activism

Grannies joined in Iowa City Public Library storytime

Posted on December 1, 2025 by Marcia Ward

Grannies wore their green for a storytelling time at the Iowa City Public Library on November 20, 2025. Special thanks to Mari R at the library who leads us so well! Becky H showed a book up close to the … Continue reading →

Posted in Education | Comments Off on Grannies joined in Iowa City Public Library storytime

Grannies had “pride of place” leading the 2025 Pride Parade

Posted on June 13, 2025 by Marcia Ward

100Grannies were given the honor of leading the 2025 Iowa City Pride Parade.  Temperatures above 90 degrees and a heat index warning didn’t stop the more than a dozen Grannies. This ‘gaggle of Grannies’ powered through to the end at … Continue reading →

Posted in Activism | Comments Off on Grannies had “pride of place” leading the 2025 Pride Parade

Grannies participate in ChatGPT training

Posted on April 13, 2025 by Marcia Ward

At the March 2025 100Grannies meeting, Deb G gave a demonstration on using ChatGPT to quickly and easily draft letters to congress representatives and senators.  She followed this by leading a full training session on April 4 at the Iowa … Continue reading →

Posted in Activism | Comments Off on Grannies participate in ChatGPT training

2025 Granny Book donations to the ICCSD Schools

Posted on March 6, 2025 by Marcia Ward

Grannies have been donating books to the Iowa City Community School District for 15 years. Donations are welcome.   High Schools: Not the End of the World: How We Can Be the First Generation to Build a Sustainable Planet by Hannah … Continue reading →

Posted in Education | Comments Off on 2025 Granny Book donations to the ICCSD Schools

Protecting the Future of Macbride Nature Recreation Area: A Call for Continued Access

Posted on March 6, 2025 by Marcia Ward

Deb G and Deb S submitted the following guest editorial to the Press Citizen, Gazette, and Des Moines Register For over 40 years, the Macbride Nature Recreation Area (MNRA) has served as a vital resource for education, recreation, mental well-being, … Continue reading →

Posted in Activism, Publicity, Steering Committee | Comments Off on Protecting the Future of Macbride Nature Recreation Area: A Call for Continued Access