Vegetarians, animal advocates mourn loss of prominent spokespersons

VUNA Views, Vol. 8, No. 1, Winter (December), 1998

Vegetarians, animal advocates mourn loss of prominent spokespersons

1998 continued to be a tragic year for leading lights of the vegetarian and animal protection movements. Linda McCartney's death from cancer in April is still being mourned all over the world. The vegetarian movement benefited immensely from her tireless and high-profile promotion of compassion for animals leading naturally to meatless eating.

On September 8, Charles Attwood, MD, 66, author of _Dr. Attwood's Lowfat Prescription for Kids_ and many other books and articles, died of a brain tumor at his home in South Carolina. A board-certified pediatrician and Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics, Dr. Attwood maintained a large pediatric practice until 1995, when he took leave in order to promote the critical message of healthy nutrition for children and adults on a larger scale. He appeared on hundreds of radio and television shows, was interviewed by scores of newspapers, and maintained an active online presence through his Web site and participation in message boards and forums. Dr. Benjamin Spock was so impressed by _Dr. Attwood's Lowfat Prescription for Kids_ that he hired Dr. Attwood as a nutrition consultant for the new edition of the classic bestseller, _Baby and Child Care_. That book's recommendation of a vegan diet for young children has caused widespread controversy, and tragically, neither Dr. Spock nor Dr. Attwood are here to defend that advice. Jeff Nelson of VegSource Interactive, a Web host for many vegetarian sites (http://www.vegsource.org), said of Dr. Attwood: "He accomplished an incredible amount in his life. Most of all, he was a remarkably generous, sweet, kind man."

Three days later, veteran animal activist Henry Spira, 71, died of esophageal cancer at his New York City home. Described by the Boston Vegetarian Society's Evelyn Kimber as "one of the most effective and dedicated campaigners ever to work among us," Henry was coordinator of Animal Rights International and was known for his ability to build coalitions and find common ground between opposing sides. His life and work are the subject of _Ethics into Action_ by philosopher Peter Singer, whose 1975 book _Animal Liberation_ first inspired Henry to focus on animals, whom he called "the most defenseless of all the world's victims."

Author, critic, social commentator, TV personality, high-profile animal defender, and professional curmudgeon Cleveland Amory, 81, died of a brain aneurysm on October 15. He said his commitment to animal rights was launched when, as a young reporter, he was assigned to cover a bullfight, a spectacle he found horrifying. He was the founder and President of The Fund for Animals, which focuses on defense of wildlife threatened by hunting and trapping, and used his fame and media presence to advocate for animals. Wayne Pacelle of the Humane Society of the United States, a close associate and friend, said: "History will judge Cleveland Amory as one of the most significant animal advocates of the twentieth century. He was a central figure in getting the animal protection movement on its feet, and he associated himself with the cause long before it became fashionable and, frankly, at a time when it was ridiculed. He used the currency of his position in society not to advance and enrich himself, but to advocate protecting animals both domestic and wild."

Maintained by Judy Miner jwminer@accessvt.com
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