"101 Reasons Why I'm a Vegetarian"
by Pamela Rice*
... a little background
The VivaVegie Society is a vegetarian advocacy group which was formed in 1991. Since its beginning it has served as an educational organization for the cause of vegetarianism. The street advocacy for which the society has become known nationwide has remained effective because of the society's consistent use of creative methods of outreach.
Members/advocates go out regularly to any place they can find a lot of pedestrian traffic to spread the word about the vegetarian way of life to which they feel they owe so much. Following are a just a few of the main events where VivaVegie makes appearances: The Greenwich Village Halloween Parade, Transportation Alternatives Human Propulsion Fair, Nathans 4th of July hot dog eating contest, the Easter Parade, the We Care About New York Inc.'s annual World's Largest Block Party, World Vegetarian Day, Great American Meat-Out, 
The centerpiece of The VivaVegie Society is the group's popular manifesto "101 Reasons Why I'm a Vegetarian," the mighty convincer for a vegetarian diet, available at this web site and in hard-copy format. The first of now-five editions of "101 Reasons Why I'm a Vegetarian" made its debut on Earth Day 1991 as an important part of the VivaVegie Society's hallmark one-on-one advocacy. Five thousand copies of this version were circulated to wide acclaim.
In December of 1992, a second edition came out which was distributed to an additional 20,000 people. Later, 20,000 copies of a 1996 edition were printed. Eventually a total of 11 printings of 20,000 copies each were printed.
The founder of the VivaVegie Society, author of "101 Reasons Why I'm a Vegetarian," and VivaVine publisher, Pamela Rice, has lectured to university and high school audiences as well as to vegetarian groups. She specializes in the environmental impact of society's meat-centered diet and government subsidies to the meat industry. In March 2000, along with the VivaVegie Society, Big Apple Vegetarians, and the Sierra Club Vegetarian Outings Group, she hosted a talk by New York City public advocate and mayoral candidate Mark Green. She emceed BAV's awards dinner in December 1994 and its Vegan Jeopardy in February 1996. Ms. Rice was also the cocurator of a first-of-its-kind vegetarian art show at the Sunnen Gallery in the SoHo district of New York City in the spring of 1995. Ms. Rice has continuously run the Vegetarian Center of NYC since 1999. But ultimately, Pamela, acting as coordinator, and VivaVegie, acting as sponsoring organization, put together the Veggie Pride Parade, NYC, in 2008 & 2009.
VivaVegie's Noteworthy Exposure in the Media:
- Widespread, extensive, mainstream media of Veggie Pride Parade, 2008, including major story in The New York Times and a story pick-up by AP wire service.
- Time Out New York did a full-page feature on Pamela Rice and the Vegetarian Center in its June 7-14, 2001 issue.
- VivaVegie's Vegetarian Center was mentioned in an Extra (Fox) feature in 2001.
- Street News ran exerpts from " 101 Reasons Why I'm a Vegetarian " in 2000.
- India Abroad and India in New York both featured Pamela Rice and Penelo Pea Pod at the Mark Green event
- Extensive feature in the NYC Korean magazine: OCSNews
- The day after Easter, 1997, both the New York Times and New York Post gave the VivaVegie Society 2 paragraphs each publicizing the debut of Penelo Pea Pod at New York City's Easter Parade. Both gave mention of factory farming of egg-laying hens.
- Reuters photo in the Toronto Star disrupting what would have otherwise been a totally-smooth launch of McDonald's Arch Deluxe; debut of phrase: "Artery Clogging Hamberger" (ARCH).
- The same day (as above), WBCS national network evening news pictured a VivaVegie demonstrator with a sign board reading: "Artery Clogging Hamberger" in a story about the hamberger media-blitzing launch
- CNN and Headline News coverage of demonstration at Nathan's hot dog eating contest, Summer, 1995.
- Half page feature in Vegetarian Times in the Dec., 1993 issue.
- Chauncy's Place, New York 1, Oct., 1994.
- A feature in The New York Times "Styles" section, Sept. 20, 1992.
- 2 captioned photos in 2 issues of PETA News.
- Captioned photo in Animal's Agenda, Mar., 1992.
- Featured in Bunny Hugger's Gazette, Spring, 1995.
PRAISE FROM THE HEART
FROM THANKFUL VEGETARIANS
WHO LOVE
" 101 Reasons Why I'm a Vegetarian "
- "101 Reasons Why I'm a Vegetarian" is great and I'd like to order 100 copies. I have convinced several people to explore the vegetarian way with this flyer. (S.S. / El Paso, TX)
- When I first read your compiled list of reasons to become a vegetarian I thought how great it was to have something so concise and yet informative and interesting to read (rather than some lengthy piece of literature) to spread "the V word." (M.R. /Hoboken, NJ)
- I loved " 101 Reasons Why I'm a Vegetarian. " It was the most interesting, shocking, scary, angering informative thing I've read in a long while... P.S.: I thought you would like to know that I know of 3 people who have seriously altered their eating habits as a result of reading "101 Reasons." (K.H. / Croton-On-Hudson, NY)
- Pamela -- Great job! (on your "101 Reasons Why I'm a Vegetarian"). Keep up your wonderful work. (Author of Judaism and Vegetarianism Richard Schwartz)
- While I was visiting New York, I read your "101 Reasons Why I'm a Vegetarian". It was very touching and it really makes you think. I have been thinking about becoming one for quite some time and it made me want to even more. (S.W. / PA -- 16 years old)
- I found your "101 Reasons ..." very enlightening, and have shared much of the information with friends and family. (C.N. / Salt Lake City, UT)
- Beautiful ... Beautiful ! ! -- Your "101 Reasons Why I'm a Vegetarian". (P.W. / FL)
- I just met someone doing the "Walk Across America for Mother Earth" who was given your "101 Reasons Why I'm a Vegetarian". She showed it to me. It's EXCELLENT! (I.O. / Clarksville, MD)
- Your efforts have really changed lives for many people close to me. Thank you. (K.G./Wayne, NE)
- Thank you for compiling the " 101 reasons, " re: veg. I am very glad to have your info & have quoted from it two times already.... I feel we've simply got to reach the mainstream. (R.D. / Minneapolis, MN)
- Dear Folks: I would like to surprise my husband with a copy of your "101 Reasons ...." in his Christmas stocking. Please send me one as soon as you can so that it will get here in time for the holiday. (L.W. / East Hampton, CT)
- I obtained a copy of "101 Reasons Why I'm a Vegetarian" in New York City in May while I was visiting. On my drive back to Canada where I live, I read your "Reasons" & I even wrote and asked you for references. Nevertheless, I stopped eating meat & chicken -- and in July I stopped eating fish. I eat very little dairy products & I feel a lot better. My weight has dropped & mentally I feel clearer (physically too). Taking all into account, I would like to thank you very very much for opening my eyes & making me realize that I'm a part of the world & what I do has an effect, positive or negative. I also feel that you have added years onto my life. And for this and many other reasons, Thank you! (E.P. /Ontario, Canada)
- I've been a vegetarian for 15 years. But not until I read your "101 Reasons Why I'm a Vegetarian" did I feel validated. Your paper is so valuable. I am now a true vegetarian because I understand how I am helping the planet. More so, I want to convince others to be vegetarians also. I can see the whole planet changing so much from people becoming more aware. Keep up your wonderful work. (E.R. / NYC)
*also known as Pamela Teisler.
Published by The VivaVegie Society;
; P.O. Box 1447
New York, N.Y. 10276 U.S.A.
email: pamela@vivavegie.org
