A group of Maine grandmothers hand delivered more than 4,300 signed postcards addressed to nearly 100 state representatives and state senators of both parties January 21, to thank them for supporting reproductive rights in the 2015 legislative session and to encourage them to continue their support in the coming year.

The group that organized the postcard campaign is GRR — Grandmothers for Reproductive Rights — a three-year-old organization of Maine grandmothers who refuse to see the clock turned back on women's reproductive rights. 

The thank-you campaign began in October as GRR members gathered the names of Maine state senators and representatives who voted to support reproductive rights and access to reproductive health care on three separate bills in 2015. This was followed by postcard signing get-togethers in communities across the state.  

The postcards filled four large boxes that were delivered to House and Senate legislators in the Hall of Flags. Among those receiving the boxes were Representatives Mick Devin (D-Newcastle), Jay McCreight (D-Harpswell), Mattie Daughtry (D-Brunswick), Jennifer DeChant (D-Bath), Denise Tepler (D.-Topsham) and Senator Chris Johnson (D.-Senate District 13), who made sure that the postcards were distributed to the addressees. 

The trademark of the grandmother’s group is a bright yellow GRR T-shirt. Earlier in the day wearing yellow they attended a House Democratic Caucus meeting, and were introduced in the House Chamber.

The grandmothers were in Augusta to participate in Maine Women’s Day at the State House, organized by the Alliance for Maine Women, of which GRR is a member organization. To show solidarity with the larger group of organizations advocating for women, the grandmothers of GRR wore red with the other participants as they stood together on the grand staircase in the State House Hall of Flags during a Press Conference that addressed issues concerning reproductive and economic rights for women.