Cardigan Pride
Cardie Pride is an annual campaign responding to the gendered ageism experienced by older women - including the derogatory definitions of 'grannies' as 'cardigan wearing' (here)!!!!! Our aim is to promote respect for and solidarity with older women. By participating in #CardiePride you are helping raise awareness of the need to build a culture of respect for older women. Read more about how to participate - and the background issues below.
Cardi Pride has shifted to June to coincide with World Elder Abuse Awareness Day and because winter is peak cardi weather. Learn more about what Cardi Pride is and why it matters by watching the 4 min video below.
Cardi Pride has shifted to June to coincide with World Elder Abuse Awareness Day and because winter is peak cardi weather. Learn more about what Cardi Pride is and why it matters by watching the 4 min video below.
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How to participate
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Participation is simple:
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Share your cardigan story
So many people who have shared #CardiPride have also shared beautiful stories about what their Cardi means to them. Such beautiful stories. Please share yours with us. |
World Record - 52 people wearing cardigans in one place
In May 2026 we hosted a World Elder Abuse Forum in partnership with Elder Rights Australia and the Victorian Women's Trust - and invited participants to wear a Cardi and help us set a World Cardi Record - for most cardigans in one place. Check the photo below - we think we had 52 people!! Thank you all so much.
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Cardie Gallery
The inaugural #CardigePride event was hosted in the beautiful gardens of Como House, special thanks to The National Trust for hosting the event.
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The beginnings
In 2024, we asked community members and service providers to share examples of the representations of older women in popular culture. This Citizen Research explored the language and images used to portray older women in media and advertising. The results show significant ageist/sexist disrespect towards older women and this drives many of the inequalities they experience.
One small example is the term Granny, which is too often used to describe older women as greedy, fussy, irritating - and cardigan wearing! Something needs to change! Changing the word Granny is not an option - families and older women who are grandmothers tell us that being a Granny or having a Granny is a gift. We need to focus on changing the culture. That's what #CardiganPride sets out to do. To learn more, read our article in The Conversation (here).
One small example is the term Granny, which is too often used to describe older women as greedy, fussy, irritating - and cardigan wearing! Something needs to change! Changing the word Granny is not an option - families and older women who are grandmothers tell us that being a Granny or having a Granny is a gift. We need to focus on changing the culture. That's what #CardiganPride sets out to do. To learn more, read our article in The Conversation (here).
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In the Media
Thanks to the journalist and radio hosts who help us spread the word about the need for change, including:
- Radio: ABC Sydney Drive with Richard Adler, ABC Perth with Sue Peacock, ABC Melbourne with Dave O'Neil, ABC Darwin and Joy Radio for chatting about The Conversation article
Project partnerships
#CardiePride is an initiative of Celebrate Ageing Ltd, curated for the #Embolden2024 Festival. The 2024 campaign was a partnership with Suzanne Phoenix and was supported by Elder Rights Advocacy, the Older Women's Network NSW and ADA Australia.
More information and contact
For more information about #CardiePride please contact project coordinator Dr Catherine Barrett on 0429 582 237 or [email protected]. Please also check out our other projects building respect for older women: #TheBiscuitTin and #OlderWomenCount
