What Does it Look Like to Live the Principles of Gray Panthers in 2026?

During these challenging times for the United States and for the world, let’s act on the inspiring words of Maggie Kuhn, the founder of Gray Panthers.

“Leave safety behind. Put your body on the line. Stand before the people you fear and speak your mind – even if your voice shakes. When you least expect it, someone may actually listen to what you have to say. Well-aimed slingshots can topple giants.”

We’ve been witnessing advancing fascism and the horrors of this current administration as well as the eager destruction of the foundations of the United States. You watch the news. I don’t have to recount them.   

We, as a nation, are not learning from past mistakes. We are repeating them. Some people are not adhering to basic moral and human principles. But we are taking to the streets. We must remain steadfast, loud, and effective. We must be strategic in order to assure the preservation of what is good about our great nation.

On January 6, 2026, thousands of enraged New Yorkers marched down Fifth Avenue to express outrage at the murder of an unarmed US citizen who had been protesting ICE invasion of Minneapolis, by an ICE employee. She was shot in the head while she was leaving the scene.  The employee shot her in the head through the driver's side window, immediately after she said: “Hey dude, I’m not mad at you.”

Importantly, we cannot forget that the US Capitol had been attacked by Trump supporters who sought to overthrow the US government. That was January 6, 2021. Same goal. Different tactics.

What can we do?

I imagine that many of you reading this are experiencing the same feelings. I don’t know how the US will heal and thrive, but together we have a better shot. 

We all need a break. Doom scrolling is addictive.  Surely, it is for me.

Let’s take a deep breath.  Perhaps, a news hiatus with a goal of becoming clearer about how each of us can take a role in assuring the success of the United States, which emphasizes the original goals of the country, and the big heart that has always been its hallmark. Inevitably, there have been huge challenges and deep rifts.  Historically, the US has been the beacon for the world.  Let’s work together to re-light that beacon.

Let’s support each other.  This takes many forms – attending protests, writing emails and making phone calls, joining activist networks, donating money or time or services, finding ways to bridge the gap to educate those willing to be educated. The paralysis built on despair is one of our greatest enemies.

The role of Gray Panthers

The US and the Gray Panthers were built on protest. Maggie Kuhn said “Old age is an excellent time for outrage…”  We would not have reached the economic success, belief in equality and equity, and success of the US without protest, compassion, empathy, and revolution.  We must continue Maggie’s heritage as we move forward in times of uncertainty.  Things do get better.

Over the decades, the voice and action of Gray Panthers has effectively led: to resistance to the Vietnam War, to the implementation of nursing home standards nationally, to efforts to legislatively address ageism in employment, to be a powerful voice at the global level to ensure the human rights of older persons, to highlight the importance of intergenerational activism, challenging the US military participation in the Gulf War, being a leader in transforming long term care in the USA, powerfully changing the perception of older persons as always vital, and inspiring millions to see aging and intergenerational solidarity as a cornerstone of the modern world. And more.

This is the time to live the principles of Gray Panthers, including “Age and Youth in Action.”