Gray Panthers to Occupy Wall Street: Intergenerational activism from 1970 to now

Formed in 1970, the Gray Panthers embodied intergenerationalism in ideology and practice. As the movement grew to 100 local groups by the 1980s, it brought together older veterans of 1930s political activism with younger members, products of the 1960s. Early embracing universal health care across the life cycle, when Rep. Ron Dellums' introduced his national health service act in 1975, they became advocates, using petitions, forums, leafleting, and outreach to groups favoring expanded health insurance. In Berkeley, California, old and young Gray Panthers opened a free Over 60 health clinic in 1976, pressed for vigorous nursing home regulation, and led in creating a “continuum of care” including adult day health and hospice care, and expanded transportation and housing alternatives. They allied with clinics in underserved Latino, Asian, African American, and youth communities to confront Alameda County around health care access and funding. In 1985 founder Maggie Kuhn and other members visited Canada; they then held local forums on single-payer care, and continued to support it through the Clinton health care defeat in 1993 and since. Linkages with disability rights, peace, housing, and labor retiree groups continued through the 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s, even as older Gray Panther ranks diminished and younger members moved into mid-life careers, many in social justice arenas. Today an intergenerational perspective is widely embraced in activist, practitioner, and critical analytic circles (even by the AARP!), to the Gray Panthers' credit. The talk concludes with reflections on intergenerational activism in relation to the Occupy Wall Street movement.