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Bill would designate Jan. 24 as ‘Granny D Day’ in New Hampshire

Doris "Granny D" Haddock

Granny D became famous nationally after walking across the country to promote campaign finance reform.

Alex Wong/Getty Images
Sara Swann
By Sara SwannJan 24, 2020
Sara Swann

As a staff writer, Sara covers a variety of democracy reform issues, including voting rights, money in politics, gerrymandering and civic education. Prior to joining The Fulcrum in May 2019, Sara reported on local government on Maryland's Eastern Shore for the USA Today network. She is a native West Virginian and a graduate of Syracuse University.

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A New Hampshire lawmaker has proposed legislation to establish Jan. 24 as "Granny D Day" to honor the beloved political activist.

A Granite State native, Doris "Granny D" Haddock was known across the country for her dedication to campaign finance reform. She died at age 100 in 2010. Friday would have been her 110th birthday.

In 1999, at the age of 88, Granny D embarked on a 3,200-mile walk from California to Washington, D.C., to bring attention to the need for campaign finance reform. The journey ended with a rally at the Capitol 14 months later.

Six years later, Granny D ran for the U.S. Senate as a Democrat, attempting to unseat Republican Judd Gregg. Although her bid was unsuccessful, she campaigned without accepting only small, individual contributions and garnered one-third of the vote after entering the race just before the filing deadline.

Democratic state Sen. Melanie Levesque introduced the bill on Tuesday, calling Granny D a "fierce activist who dedicated her life to defending democracy."

"Granny D recognized the importance of civic responsibility and encouraged people to practice their right to vote," the bill reads. "She was politically active throughout her life and called for honesty, transparency, and equality in politics."

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