Well-Being Matters is an on-going series highlighting different members of our community and their strategies for well-being. Texas Health Community Hope engages in a broad range of innovative programs, investments, and collaborations outside hospital walls to promote a lifetime of holistic health and well-being. This month we meet Sonia Barrett, director and choreographer of the Steppin’ Grannies of Fort Worth, and Versie Pruitt, their Booking Manager. Since 2006 this group of 60-to-80-something ladies have grooved their way to good health and lifelong friendships. You may have seen them on “Good Morning Texas,” at a local community center, or at events promoting health and well-being in our communities.

 

Q: The late Alene Washington started the Steppin’ Grannies in 2006, so you’ll celebrate 20 years in 2026. How did the group begin?

Sonia: Initially I was at a birthday party for a friend of my mother’s. Ms. Washington was there and wanted to teach the Electric Slide, so she asked if anyone had the music. I had the music, and the CD had a lot of other songs, so we danced at that party! Ms. Washington decided she wanted to form a group like Taps and Tunes (another woman-led group of dancers who perform locally as well).

Q: Versie, how long have you been participating?

Versie: Since 2012. Sonia’s mom stayed on me about getting out of the house after I lost my husband. Finally, I went and was hooked. I like the challenge of something new and learning the dances. My kids said, “Mama didn’t know how to dance.” Then they saw me and realized I could. Sonia’s a good teacher. She takes us step by step until we have the whole song.

Q: Did either of you have dance or choreography experience before this?

Sonia: I did not.

Versie: When I was younger, I danced all the time, but not for years. I did praise dancing at my church but nothing like this.

Q:  Do you have to be a former dancer to join?

Versie: You have to be at least 60 years old and a grandmother.

Q: What you do is also about fitness, right?

Sonia: It keeps us moving. The initial reason Ms. Washington started this was to keep everyone moving. The dancing and movement help with balance as well.

Q:  And balance is so critical as we age. Some of your members may have lived through their own health challenges.

Sonia: My mom danced with us from the beginning until her health failed. She had ovarian cancer and COPD. She would dance with her oxygen on. Her last performance was December 2019.

Versie: I suffer from knee pain and didn’t want to have surgery. I started doing some research about how to make my knee better without surgery. I lost 18 pounds and my knee doesn’t bother me anymore

Q:  Do you credit the dancing you do as helping to keep you fit and young?

Versie: It’s very rewarding to me. I’m 75. If I can still do it, you can do it. I have more days behind me than in front of me and I try to make every day count. It’s important to keep moving, to keep challenging yourself.

Q: In addition to fitness and fun, the Steppin’ Grannies share a strong bond.

Versie: We’re like a little family. We call each other sisters. There’s never any drama with our group. We welcome new people. If someone has a loss in their family, the Steppin’ Grannies are here for each other.

Q: How many dances do you learn a year?

Sonia: It depends on the schedule, but usually four or five.

Q: We hear you performed at Bass Hall!

Versie: It was overwhelming to be there, it’s such a beautiful place. And they received us so well. It was such an awesome day. We also performed on “Good Morning Texas.” We were happy to be asked.

Q: What is your favorite part of being a Steppin’ Granny?

Sonia: I love teaching the dances.

Versie: It’s really rewarding. I get out of the house, meet people I wouldn’t normally meet, and go places I wouldn’t normally go. We went on a cruise for my 75th birthday and a lady from Fort Worth recognized me as a Steppin’ Granny! That blew my mind.

Q: How do you become a Steppin’ Granny or book them for a performance?

Sonia: Reach out to us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/SteppinGranniesofFortWorthTexas

 

Learn more about Texas Health Community Hope at TexasHealth.org/CommunityHope