One World Grannies and the Aylmer GoGos joined forces this year to celebrate Grandparents’ Day at the Adawe Crossing pedestrian bridge in Strathcona Park. Our second awareness-raising Bridge Crossing event again featured guest speaker Mme. Claudette Commanda, a well-respected Indigenous elder, grandmother (“Kokum” in Anishinaabe), and chancellor of the University of Ottawa.
Local city Councillors, Stephanie Plante, Jeff Leiper, and Rawlson King also gave remarks about the importance of the Grandmothers Campaign and its ongoing work with the Stephen Lewis Foundation to support grandmothers in sub-Saharan Africa. Leslie Wells, SLF Deputy Director of Program Partnerships, also spoke about the Foundation’s grassroots programs that Grannies all across Canada support.
During the event, a clothesline filled up with pinned-on messages of solidarity, and groups of Grannies crossed the Adawe Bridge with purpose, determined to ‘Bridge the Gap’ between those affected by HIV and AIDS in Africa and the resources needed to combat it.
It was a well-attended and celebratory event that brought local grandmothers together and engaged members of the public. Hopefully, it will be repeated in 2026.
Kokum Claudette Commanda
Symbolically closing the gap by crossing the Adawe Pedestrian Bridge
Mia Overduin Aylmer Gogos with Leslie Wells (SLF Deputy Director, Program Partnerships) and Shannon Fleming Director, SLF Development & Communications)
Speakers at Bridge Crossing 2025: Mme. Claudette Commanda, Councillor Rawlson King, Councillor Jeff Leiper, Councillor Stephanie Plante and Leslie Wells SLF Deputy Director, Program Partnerships
One World Grannies Lynn Hawkins, Peggy Edwards and Dianne Breton
One World Grannies Sue Smart and Shelagh Jane Woods
Robin Scobie’s granddaughters review the clothesline messages.