CHAPTER 1
INGRID NEWKIRK
A
longside her partner, Ingrid Newkirk founded People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. You might recognize this group better as PETA. The organization has been around
under Newkirk’s leadership since 1980. It is the world’s largest vegan organization and serves to advocate for and defend the rights of animals. They oppose speciesism and shed light on animal suffering in the food industry, laboratory testing, the clothing industry, and entertainment. The organization is big on activism and bringing publicity to the pain and suffering animals face at our hands. Ingrid
has written many books that reflect her stance on animal cruelty and provide solutions to combatting it. PETA President Newkirk wasn’t always an animal rights activist. A British American, she grew up in England and later lived in Florida and Maryland. Her formal introduction to animal rights took place during her twenties when she became an animal protection officer, and later head of the animal disease control division in DC for the Commission of Public Health. After her awakening, she dedicated her 7
