Vegan Society

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Vegan Society
VeganSociety.jpg
Founder(s) Donald Watson
Type Non-governmental organization
Founded 1944
Headquarters Birmingham
Area served United Kingdom
Focus Veganism
Method Information, support
Members 4,000 (in 2005)[1]
Motto Promoting ways of living free from animal products for the benefit of people, animals and the environment.
Website www.vegansociety.com

The Vegan Society is a registered charity and the oldest vegan society in the world, founded on November 1, 1944, in England by Donald Watson, Elsie "Sally" Shrigley, and 23 others.[2]

Watson coined the word "vegan" to stand for "non-dairy vegetarians" who also ate no eggs.[2] The date of the society's founding is celebrated annually as World Vegan Day. The society now defines veganism as "...a way of living that seeks to exclude, as far as possible and practicable, all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to, animals for food, clothing and any other purpose."[3]

Contents

Activities[edit]

  • Information – e.g. the website, leaflets, books, videos
  • Support – network of local contacts
  • Licenses its trademarked Sunflower symbol to companies – for the labeling of vegan products
  • Publishes The Vegan – a quarterly magazine sent free to members of the society
  • Publishes the Animal-Free Shopper – a list of vegan items available in the UK (updated every two years or so)

Movement for Compassionate Living[edit]

A 'breakaway' group from the Vegan Society, The Movement for Compassionate Living was founded in 1984 by former Vegan Society secretary Kathleen Jannaway.[4][5]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Obituary: Donald Watson 18 November 2005 BBC
  2. ^ a b "Interview with Donald Watson", Vegetarians in Paradise, August 11, 2004.
  3. ^ Who we are - The Vegan Society
  4. ^ Kathleen Jannaway 1915-2003: A Life Well Lived Harry Mather & Malcolm Horne., Vegan Views 96 (Spring 2003)
  5. ^ The Vegan Society's obituary of Kathleen Jannaway

External links[edit]