Vegan Society
Encyclopedia
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.
Watson coined the word "vegan" to stand for "non-dairy vegetarians" who also ate no eggs. 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."
was founded in 1984 by former Vegan Society secretary Kathleen Jannaway.
Donald Watson
Donald Watson was founder of the Vegan Society and inventor of the word vegan.Watson was born in Mexborough, Yorkshire, into a non-vegetarian family. His journey to veganism began when he was very young, at the farm of his Uncle George...
, Elsie "Sally" Shrigley, and 23 others.
Watson coined the word "vegan" to stand for "non-dairy vegetarians" who also ate no eggs. The date of the society's founding is celebrated annually as World Vegan Day
World Vegan Day
World Vegan Day is an annual event celebrated on 1 November, by vegans around the world. The Day was established in 1944 by Louise Wallis, then President & Chair of The Vegan Society UK....
. 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."
Activities
- 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
A 'breakaway' group from the Vegan Society, The Movement for Compassionate LivingMovement for Compassionate Living
The Movement for Compassionate Living is a UK based organisation promoting veganism and sustainable living. Membership is informal, based on subscription to the group's journal New Leaves, with subscribers in many countries....
was founded in 1984 by former Vegan Society secretary Kathleen Jannaway.