The Granny Peace Brigade congratulates our sister, Vinie Burrows on her receiving the Clara Lemlich Award, together with five other honorees on May 1st, 2017. The Lemlich Awards is a celebration of the achievements of older women, and if anyone fits the description of someone who qualifies for this award it’s Vinie, though it was fascinating to hear about the lives of all the honorees; all were different and all deserving.
Vinie is an actor, author, radio host, teacher and fighter against war, violence and racism for decades. She continues her activism as well as her acting career, currently starring in the off-Broadway production: Samara. She started her acting career on Broadway as a teenager with Helen Hayes in the Wisteria Trees, quickly followed by six more Broadway productions. However, frustrated by the quality and quantity of roles offered the actor of color, Vinie took control, ultimately developing eight original one-woman shows. She has toured four continents and performed over 6000 times. As a Granny Peace Brigader though, she has been a staunch advocate and defender of peace, justice, human and civil rights on the street, at political and other fora, and in the theater.
Vinie was introduced to the audience by Kalie Kamari, a young rapper, in classical rap fashion. He also said a few personal remarks moved by the stories of the women honored and the value, the importance of these lives to influence and inspire younger generations.
The Clara Lemlich Awards was named after the union organizer and social activist who lived and fought for the rights of women working in the garment industry over one century ago. Other sisters in the Granny Peace Brigade honored to receive the Clara Lemlich Award are: Lillian Pollak, Louise Meriwether, Marie Runyon and Joan Wile in 2011; Molly Klopot in 2013; and Lillian Lifflander in 2015. We are so very proud of their achievements and continue the struggle for peace, justice and resistance!
Marty Rajandran
for the Granny Peace Brigade
photos: Bud Korotzer
Granny Peace Brigade 