Democratic Club relives story of 'Granny D'

Actress and musician duo Barbara Bates Smith and Jeff Sebens reenact the historical walk for campaign finance reform by Doris 'Granny D' Haddock.

By Amanda Morales
| 11:20 a.m. April 19, 2016

Jef Sebens and Barbara Bates-Smith perform their play "Go,Granny D!" for the Democratic Club of Sarasota.

Sarasota
Neighbors

On the eve of the New York state primary elections, the Democratic Club of Sarasota entertained the story of Doris “Granny D” Haddock.

The monthly meeting for the club at the Bayfront Community Center included a performance of the one-woman play “Go, Granny D!”

Barbara Bates Smith played the role of Haddock with musician Jeff Sebens providing the soundtrack to her more than 3,000-mile trek from Los Angeles to Washington D.C. in the name of campaign finance reform. Weeks before her 89th birthday in 2000, Haddock decided to bring awareness to campaign finance corruption with a cross-country walk.

The book about Doris "Granny D" Haddock's journey across the U.S. for campaign finance reform.

Democratic Club of Sarasota President Mary Clupper agrees that the cause Haddock walked to bring awareness to in 2000 is just as relevant 16 years after she took the first step of her trek.

“I just thought it sounded like something our members would enjoy,” Clupper said. “Campaign Finance Reform is going to be an issue until we overturn Citizens United.”

The suggestion for the duo to perform came from Sarasota’s own campaign reform walker Rhana Bazzini. Bazzini was inspired to make the trip by the 3,200-mile walk Doris “Granny D” Haddock made from Los Angeles to Washington D.C. promote the same cause in 2000.

In October 2015 Bazzini walked from her home on Stickney Point Road to Tallahassee.