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Are there any activists or celebrities that have inspired you?

"Anyone with strength to stand up and fight such a socially accepted injustice,
is a hero in my eyes!" Brooke Gore, N.Z. (under age 18)

The following list was in response to the question: 'Are there any activists or celebrities that have inspired you?', which was a question included in a 'Vegan Relationship Survey' conducted by M. Butterflies Katz (www.veganpoet.com) in cyber-space, summer/autumn of 2008. The number before the name correlates to how many responders mentioned the following person/book/group/film. Not all named are vegan, but they, nonetheless, have inspired the survey responders. There were a few mentioned that couldn't be found on the internet; I left those out.

Even though I don't personally believe some of these people are exemplary vegan role models, I am just posting the responses.  I personally disagree with some of the choices and contemplated not posting it, however, I found the list to be interesting. Some of the people that have inspired vegans are not even vegan themselves; keep that in mind.

 Here is THE LIST of who or what inspired vegans from all over the globe:

Qty

Response

32

Joaquin Phoenix (for his role in Earthlings/for demanding a vegan wardrobe)

22

Howard Lyman and his book MAD COWBOY www.madcowboy.com

20

Alicia Silverstone/and her vegan dogs, U.S. Actress ("great role model")

18

Gary Francione and his 'Abolitionist' Writings www.abolitionistapproach.com

18

Ingrid Newkirk, founder of PETA www.peta.org

18

John Robbins (and Diet for a New America) www.foodrevolution.org

14

Peter Singer (also mentioned his book: The Ethics of our Eating)

12

Capt. Paul Watson (Sea Shepherd Conservation Society) www.seashepherd.org

12

Bob and Jenna Torres, Vegan Freak Radio podcasts www.veganfreakradio.com

11

Moby (techno artist)

11

Paul McCartney (musician)

11

Gene Baur, Farm Sanctuary President & co-founder www.genebaur.org

11

Benjamin Zephaniah, British Poet

11

Pamela Anderson, U.S. Actress/ P.E.T.A. spokesperson

10

Gandhi - Indian statesman, pacifist

10

Colleen Patrick Goudreau, U.S., www.compassionatecooks.com

10

Natalie Portman, U.S. actress (EcoRazzi www.ecorazzi.com & her vegan shoe line)

9

Farm Sanctuary and it's volunteers www.farmsanctuary.org

9

Neal Barnard, M.D. (Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, recommending a vegan diet) www.pcrm.org

8

Woody Harrelson, U.S. actor (one responder wrote for his 'go further' promo advocating raw food veganism)

8

Dr. John McDougall www.drmcdougall.com

7

Dr. Will Tuttle (The World Peace Diet) U.S. Activist www.worldpeacediet.org

7

Earthlings Film/or it's filmmaker; Shaun Monson www.Earthlings.com

7

Isa Chandra Maskowitz, U.S. vegan cookbook author; 'Vegan with a Vengeance' www.theppk.com

7

Dennis Kucinich, U.S. Congressman (preferred presidential candidate one responded)

6

River Phoenix, the late U.S. actor

6

Rory Freedman, author of 'Skinny Bitch' - U.S. www.SkinnyBitch.net

6

Keith Mann (ALF activist) Author of: From Dusk 'til Dawn; An insider view of the growth of the animal rights movement.

6

T. Colin Campbell's THE CHINA STUDY www.thechinastudy.com

6

ALF (The Animal Liberation Front) www.animalliberationfront.com

6

The Animals themselves

5

Morrissey, British vegetarian (musician)

5

Chrissie Hynde, American (vegan) Rock musician

5

Leonardo DaVinci - Italian sculptor, inventor, artist, etc.

5

Shac 7 the activists currently imprisoned working against Huntington Life Sciences

4

Donald Watson, British man who coined the word 'vegan' and formed the first vegan society in the U.K.

4

Joan Dunayer, author of Speciesism and Animal Equality

4

Gary Yourofksy, U.S. vegan activist - www.adaptt.org

4

Wayne Pacelle, Humane Society of the U.S.

4

Earth Crisis, 100% vegan straight edge band

4

Prince, musician

4

Tribe of Heart, U.S. James LaVeck and Jenny Stein, filmmakers of 'The Witness' and 'The Peaceable Kingdom' www.tribeofheart.org

4

Paul Shapiro, Director of Factory Farm Campaigns for H.S.U.S.

4

Oprah Winfrey's 3 week trial of vegan diet

4

Carl Lewis, champion athlete while eating vegan diet

4

Rod Coronado, former ALF activist

4

Alice Walker, U.S. author, (even if she is not vegan, someone wrote)

4

Paul and Linda McCartney

4

Alex Hershaft, Farm Animal Reform Movement www.farmusa.org

3

Tom Regan, U.S. forerunner, author and animal rights philosopher www.cultureandanimals.org

3

Stella McCartney, British designer, child of Paul & Linda McCartney, no animal products in her fashion

3

The Buddha/teachings of the Buddha

3

Dr. Michael Klaper, M.D. - vegan physician, international lecturer, 'Vegan Health Study' www.vegsource.com/klaper

3

Bruce Freiderich, P.E.T.A., 'Veganism in a Nutshell' CD

3

Sarah Kramer, U.S. vegan cookbook author www.govegan.net

3

Jo Stepaniak, U.S. vegan author/advocate Ask Jo on VegSource

3

Gentle World, Vegan non-profit educational organization/community - www.gentleworld.org

3

Freya and Jay Dinshah, The American Vegan Society www.americanvegan.org

3

James Cromwell, for going vegan with the filming of BABE

3

St. Francis of Assisi

3

Dr. Douglas Graham (influencing knowledge on healthy fruitarian/raw food vegan diet) www.foodnsport.com/about.html

3

Veg News (Editors: Joe Connelley & Colleen Holland) U.S. www.vegnews.com

3

Tom Yorke, U.K. musician

3

S.A.F.E., New Zealand's vegan and animal advocacy organization www.safe.org.nz

3

Dr. Steve Best, philosopher, writer, activist www.DrSteveBest.org

3

Dan Mathews, vice president of P.E.T.A.

3

Bryan Adams, musician, "though he doesn't advertise his veganism"

3

Jeffrey Moossaieff Masson, author of 'The Pig Who Sang to the Moon: The Emotional Lives of Farm Animals' www.jeffreymasson.com

3

Robert Cohen (The NOT-Milk man) www.notmilk.com

3

Russell Simmons, U.S. Music mogul, vegan supporter

2

Sienna Blake, Vegan Voice Magazine www.veganic.net

2

Brendan Brazier, triathlete www.brendanbrazier.com

2

The Smith's Song 'Meat is Murder', British Rock band

2

Propagandhi, Canadian all vegan punk band www.propagandhi.com/faq

2

Storm and Jinjee Talifero, documentary on their raw food vegan family

2

Juliet Gellately, Viva! U.K. www.viva.org.uk

2

Helen and Scott Nearing, back to the landers

2

Avril Lavigne, Canadian born musician , www.avrillavigne.com

2

Casey Affleck, U.S. actor, vegan

2

Chris Martin, vegan musician, married to Gwyneth Paltrow

2

Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn, M.D., U.S. www.heartattackproof.com

2

Christian Vegetarian Association, U.S. www.christianveg.com

2

Vegan Outreach, U.S. organization www.veganoutreach.org

2

Lori Bouston, co-founder Farm Sanctuary

2

Harold Brown, U.S. Beef farmer turned vegan and spokesperson

2

Rae Sikora, U.S. www.plantpeacedaily.org

2

Dan Piraro, cartoonist www.Bizarro.com

2

Jesus (Joshua bin Joseph)

2

Pink, musician

2

Patty Mark, Australia OPEN RESCUE www.openrescue.org

2

Matt Ball, Vegan Outreach www.veganoutreach.org

2

Eric Prescott, publishes ananimalfriendlylife.com, Boston Vegan Association www.bostonvegan.org

2

"my conscience is my inspiration"

2

Carrie Underwood, U.S. singer

2

Lindsay McDougall, vegan guitarist with Australian band Frenzal Rhomb

2

Eric Markus, U.S. author www.vegan.com

2

Jill Ovnik, U.S. www.vegangal.com

2

David Cantor, Responsible Policies for Animals - www.RPAforALL.org

2

Bryanna Clark Grogan, vegan chef www.bryannaclarkgrogan.com

2

Peaceful Prairie Sanctuary (the people who run it) www.peacefulprairie.org

2

Albert Einstein - German born/American Noble Prize recipient, physicist

2

Nathan Runkle, U.S., founder of Mercy for Animals www.mercyforanimals.org

2

Pythagoras, Greek philosopher -'Father of Vegetarianism'

2

Socrates, classical Greek philosopher

2

Plato, classical Greek philosopher

2

Cesar Chaves, Mexican/American labor leader, civil rights activist

2

Alex Bourke, U.K. www.veggieguides.com

2

Daniel Johns from Silverchair Band, musician

2

Steve Hindi - founded SHARK; Showing Animals Respect and Kindness www.sharkonline.org

2

Davey Havok -vegan, lead singer of AFI

2

Animal Aid, U.K. organization www.animalaid.org.uk

2

Vegan Activists on MySpace

2

The Phoenix Family, vegan celebrity family, U.S.

1

Animal Rights Organizations

1

Meet your Meat Video, P.E.T.A.

1

Zoe Weil, U.S. Humane Education www.zoeweil.com

1

Marti Kheel, U.S. Eco/Feminist; author of Nature Ethics. www.martikheel.com

1

Carol Adams, U.S. feminist author of: The Sexual Politics of Meat, etc. www.caroljadams.com

1

Heather Mills, celebrity, was married to Paul McCartney www.heathermills.org

1

Alec Baldwin, U.S. Actor, spokesperson for P.E.T.A.

1

Yolanda Soryl, Christchurch Vegetarian Centre, New Zealand

1

Shirley Wilkes-Johnson, U.S. (Go Vegan Texas! is now World Vegan Radio at this link)

1

Dr. Joel Fuhrman, M.D., U.S. www.drfuhrman.com

1

Dick Gregory, American comedian/social activist

1

Daryl Hannah, U.S. Actress

1

Stephen Walsh, U.K., author of Plant-Based Nutrition www.stephenwalsh.co.uk

1

Mother Earth

1

Shanaia Twain, musician

1

Stanley Sapon www.VeganValues.org

1

The sights and sounds of video footage

1

Christine Townend, founded Animal Liberation (NSW) in 1976, and co-founded Animals Australia in 1980 (with Peter Singer).

1

The Film: The Peaceable Kingdom (Tribe of Heart)

1

The week long international vegan festival in San Diego, California

1

Andrew Linzey, Anglican priest, Oxford Centre for Animal Ethics

1

Jim Mason, writer; Author of: Animal Factories with Peter Singer, etc.

1

Mark Rowlands, author of: Animals Like Us, philosophy teacher University of Miami

1

Karen Dawn, Dawn Watch, U.S. www.DawnWatch.com

1

Karen Davis, U.S. United Poultry Concerns www.upc-online.org

1

Woodstock Sanctuary, U.S. (the folks that run it) www.woodstockfas.org

1

Julia Butterfly Hill, U.S. environmental activist

1

Marc Delaney, Salem Vegan Society, U.S. www.salemvegan.org

1

Janice Blue, Go Vegan Texas Radio show host (Go Vegan Texas! is now World Vegan Radio at this link)

1

Rosamund Raha, Vegan Society U.K. www.vegansociety.com

1

Jane Goodall, primatologist www.JaneGoodall.org

1

The Vegan Society and their magazine THE VEGAN www.vegansociety.com

1

Vegetarian/Vegan Society of Queensland (and it's members) www.vegsoc.org.au

1

Karen Johnson, E.L.A.T.E.D., South African Vegan Advocacy Group www.elated.co.za

1

Steve Smit www.AnimalRightsAfrica.org

1

Barry Horne, died in U.K. prison protesting vivisection

1

Drew Barrymore, U.S. Actress

1

Bill Maher, U.S. political talk show host www.BillMaher.com

1

Dr. Dean Ornish, President/Founder Preventative Medicine Research Institute

1

Fit for Life Book, Harvey and Marilyn Diamond, U.S.

1

Victoras Kulvinskas, U.S., 'Survival into the 21st Century' Early Raw Food advocate

1

Gail Eisnitz, U.S., Author of SLAUGHTERHOUSE; expose of U.S. slaughterhouses www.meat.org.uk/slaught.html

1

Vegan Vixens, U.S. Vegan Dance Troup with a mission www.veganvixens.com

1

Jeremy Rifkin, Author of: Beyond Beef; The Rise and Fall of the Cattle Culture

1

Henry Spira, forerunner in the Animal Rights Movement, founder of ARI

1

Niki O'Leary, www.scouseveg.co.uk

1

Neil Lea Rip, U.K. Vegan Visionary, died 2007

1

Tim Barford, U.K. Yaoh organic vegan hemp products www.yaoh.co.uk

1

In Defense of Animals (volunteering there), U.S. www.idausa.org

1

Tonya Zavasta 'Beautiful on Raw'

1

Forest Whitaker, Vegetarian actor, U.S.

1

Anarcho Punk Band, Scotland, vegan hardcore metal band

1

Dr. Spock, the late influential pediatrician, U.S.

1

Gretta Gaard, Eco Feminist writer

1

Operation Biteback, direct action on vivisection labs/fur facilities in the U.S. in the 90's

1

Eddie Lama, (The Witness) www.tribeofheart.org/wit1.htm

1

Ed Begley Jr., U.S actor

1

Weird Al Yankovic www.weirdal.com (vegan diet)

1

John Feldman, Goldfinger's (vegan) lead singer

1

Kate Bush, Vegetarian singer/song writer

1

Linda Blair, U.S. Actress www.lindablair.com

1

Brook Katz, vegan chef and cookbook author www.brookkatz.com

1

Kristen Lee Ohanyan, Founder of Society of Peace www.societyofpeace.org

1

Joanna Lumley, English Actress

1

Scarlett Thomas, writer

1

Linda Nunn, New Zealand www.petsonthenet.co.nz

1

The Film 'EATING', Second Edition Plus, Michael Anderson

1

Kristal Parks, Denver, US. www.Kristalparks.com

1

Rynn Berry, author, philosopher www.vegsource.com/berry

1

Bernie Unti, (HSUS)

1

NZ VegFamilies Chat Group

1

Optimum Health Institute in Austin www.optimumhealth.org

1

Hippocrates Health Institute www.hippocratesinst.org

1

Mary Lou Randour, Author, professional psychologist and animal rights advocate

1

Lynda Stoner, former Australian Actress, vegan and animal rights activist

1

Info from Animal Rights Organizations

1

Vegan Blogs

1

Michael Franti, vegan musician

1

Jonny Ablewhite, U.K., serving prison sentence for conspiracy to blackmail the Hall Family, who run New Church guinea pig farm.

1

Sam McCreesh, U.K. Star quality vegan at age 15

1

Mark Bekoff, author, professor Emeritus of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology

1

Many of the Vegan Athletes

1

Kevin Kjonaas, National Director of SHAC www.shac7.com/kevin

1

Mac Danzig (vegan fighter), Tanya Kay (bodybuilder) & all at GoVeg.com

1

Peter Young, Vegan Straight-Edge political prisoner for fur-farm raids

1

Albert Schweitzer, Alsatian theologian, musician, philosopher, and physician

1

Abraham Lincoln, 16th president of the U.S.

1

Aristotle, Greek philosopher

1

Sir Isaac Newton, mathematician and physicist

1

Ralph Waldo Emerson, was an American essayist, philosopher, poet, leader of the transcendentalist movement.

1

Henry David Thoreau, was an American author, poet and philosopher

1

Krishnamurti, Indian philosopher

1

John Lennon/Yoko Ono

1

Mark Twain, was an American author and humorist

1

Rosa Parks, U.S. civil rights leader www.rosaparks.org

1

Coretta Scott King, the late wife of Martin Luther King, who had adopted a vegan diet

1

Charles Darwin, was an English naturalist

1

Thich Nhat Hanh, Zen-Buddhist monk/teacher, now advocating veganism neufeld blog

1

Hugo Weaving, Australia Actor (not vegan), but an animal rights advocate

1

Cleveland Amory, Animal Rights Movement forerunner in the U.S.

1

The book 'DOMINION' by Mathew Scullery www.matthewscully.com

1

ETERNAL TREBLINKA: Our Treatment of Animals and the Holocaust by Charles Patterson www.powerfulbook.com

1

Richard Ryder, British psychologist who once performed tests on animals and now speaks against it www.richardryder.com

1

Dan Vishney, author of: "You Don't Have To Be A Treehugger To Be A Vegan"

1

Eric Schlosser, author of: Fast Food Nation

1

VegWeb and VegSource websites

1

MeatFreeMedia.com, New Zealand based animal rights organization

1

Bands, Seven Generations, Gorilla Biscuits, Cherem, Gather, Birthright, H20

1

Vegan Riech, Hardcore punk band

1

John Stuart Mill, British philosopher, etc.

1

David Cantor, Responsible Politics for Animals www.RPAforAll.org

1

Association Vegetarienne de France (promotes veganism 100%)

1

Erica Meier, Executive Director Compassion Over Killing www.cok.net

1

Echart Tolle's - author of: A New Earth

1

St. Padre Pio, St. Anthony of Padua and other Catholic Saints

1

Freeman Wicklund, Mercy for Animals Director of Campaigns/Compassionate Action for Animals www.freemanwicklund.org

1

Jenny Brown (Woodstock Farm Sanctuary) www.woodstockfas.org

1

Carla Lane, Britain's television writer www.carlalane.com

1

Kim Herman a DC-area vegan and independent and very active activist.

1

The Activists at UNCAGED CAMPAIGNS, U.K. www.uncaged.co.uk

1

Senator Andrew Bartlett, Australian, vegan, Queensland senator

1

Raquy Danziger, (Caveman Musician Group) drummer

1

All the speakers at the Vegetarian Summerfest, North American Vegetarian Society www.vegetariansummerfest.org or www.navs-online.org

1

Robin Lane, London Vegan Festival www.vegancampaigns.org

1

Barry Horne, deceased animal liberationist

1

Vee & Rhian/others from Stockport Animal Protection

1

A TV. program from the Movement for Compassionate Living, www.mcl.unisonplus.net

1

A Vegan Activist from Vegan Campaigns, U.K. www.vegancampaigns.org.uk

1

Mark Berriman, Australia, Editor Natural Health and Vegetarian Magazine

1

Brenda Davis, R.D. Author of Vegan Nutrition Books www.brendadavisrd.com

1

Ben Read/Band 'Foot Sativa', his lyrics are based on animal rights/global issues

1

New Zealand band 'Antagonist', all veg

1

Justin Sane from band Anti-Flag

1

Gretchen Wyler, deceased U.S. Actress/Animal Rights advocate

1

The book: The Pig Who Sang to the Moon; The Emotional Lives of Farm Animals

1

Joyce Di Benedetto-Colton, M.S., Earth Ethics Institute, Miami Dade College

1

Susan Hargreaves, U.S., founder of Humane Educators Reaching Out

1

The Supreme Master Ching Hai, Vietnamese www.godsdirectcontact.org

1

Jan and Dave, Albany NY Vegetarian Network http://www.nyvegetarianexpo.org

1

Bumper Sticker: If you Love Animals; Don't Eat them!

1

Peter Cox's book: Why You Don't Need Meat, English, bestselling author

1

Rajendra Pachauri, chief of intergovernmental panel on climate change www.rkpachauri.org

1

Priscilla Feral, President of Friends of Animals www.friendsofanimals.org

1

A Local EarthSave Representitive's lecture

1

'Pig' plays guitar in a Gisborne, N.Z. band called Saving Grace, (Vegan-straight-edge) Christchurch www.vegetarianchristchurch.org.nz

1

"Activists yes, celebrities, ick, no." Dustin, Washington D.C.

1

"Anyone who gets positive press and is vegan is great."

1

"Drew Barrymore used to be vegan and then was advocating fish for the omegas..."

1

"Celebrities pop up and then dissapear. These people are not models for young people; people who make a differnece for animals are."

1

I respect Moby and Joaquin Phoenix for Earthlings and their vegan publicity, but I'm not a follower of thier music or mainstream films.

1

"No, in fact, I got to know very well a few high profile 'activists' and found out they are neither vegan, nor ethical."

1

"I draw inspiration from the celebrities and all the unacknowledged activists and all the great minds who have ever understood the vegan ideal."




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