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Vegan activists don’t necessarily have to use aggressive tactics to be persuasive. There are ways other than throwing blood or red paint on the fur coats of fashion designers during New York’s fashion week to be influential in the political and social vegan movement. Sometimes using fame or professional stance can help promote vegan lifestyles. A Plain Jane college student can be just as important as a Doctor of Nutrition when advocating for a vegan lifestyle. Vegan activists have versatile reputations; here are our top ten:
*Note, this piece was updated on July 5, 2011 to include people we felt more suited to the list. – Blog Manager
Alicia Silverstone has been a prominent vegan figure and activist for years. She uses her public popularity to help promote a vegan lifestyle, as well as awareness of animal cruelty. Her activist activities take place during her Broadway shows, on talk show appearances such as Oprah, through her book The Kind Life, and on the Internet frontier.
2. Neil Barnard
Founder and president of Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, Neil Barnard has long been one of America’s leading advocates for health, nutrition, and higher standards in research. He is the author of a slew of great vegan nutrition and health-related vegan books, and is an important advocate for the vegan lifestyle.
Ellen DeGeneres first appeared on the scene as a comedic actress, and she is now a huge public figure on her day time talk show, “The Ellen DeGeneres Show.” She has increasingly become more open and active with her vegan lifestyle, and is definitely a good figure as a vegan activist. Even if she’s not actively refuting fur coat production, she does have an amazing persuasive power because of her place in Hollywood.
4. John Robbins
When you ask someone why they are vegan, John Robbins is often a name that makes its way into the conversation. Author of Diet for a New America, among other inspiring books, and winner of a long list of awards, Robbins takes a smart, no-nonsense approach with his vegan activism. His own story is an incredible one, and by sharing it with others, he has inspired a whole generation of vegans and vegetarians.
5. Howard Lyman
Howard Lyman is known as the Mad Cowboy. He is a fourth-generation family farmer in Montana who has moved his business toward sustainable, ecologically productive methods. He has been working on Capitol Hill advocating for America’s Family Farmers, and has played an important role in the recently passed National Organic Standards Act. Howard has written a book, “MAD COWBOY: Plain Truth from the Cattle Rancher Who Won’t Eat Meat” that has been on the best-sellers list; he is our modern day Upton Sinclair.
Ingrid Newkirk is the president and Co Founder of PETA, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. She is a strong activist for animals; her passions have led her to create the largest animal rights organizations in the world. She lends her time to promote her beliefs at conferences, and she is a very powerful and persuasive speaker. Her vegan activist engagement has caused many people to take a second look at using animal products for food or any other purpose.
Susan Nichole is a well-known handbag designer in the vegan fashion industry. She creates designer-quality, animal friendly bags. She has proven to couture seekers everywhere that good quality and beautiful fashion products don’t have to be from animal products. She has reached out to men and woman alike to promote the values of respect and love for all living things. Her proactive approach to her passion for accessories has led her to become a vegan activist.
8. Gene Baur
Gene Baur is a longtime animal activist, and the co-founder and president of Farm Sanctuary. He has played a key role in changing legislation to help protect farm animals, and continues to fight and adovcate for them to this day. Farm Sanctuary inspires many new (and existing) vegans by educating people about the fact that farm animals are feeling, intelligent creatures.
Brendan Brazier is a successful vegan athlete – but he’s more than that. He’s also the author of several books on health and food, and the creator of Vega. Leading by example, Brendan advocates for a vegan lifestyle – all the while disproving the stereotype that vegans are weaklings!
Dr. T. Colin Campbell is a scientific nutrition researcher. He is prominently famous for the China Project, where he conducted impressive studies of health and nutrition. Dr. Campbell has started a Foundation based in New York that focuses on Scientific Integrity for Optimal Health. TCCF ( T. Colin Campbell Foundation) essentially offers the best scientific health information without industry influence. His foundation is proof of his vegan activist work throughout his life.
