Genesis Butler is an American animal rights and environmental activist working to promote animal welfare.
Early life edit
Butler was inspired by her great uncle civil rights leader Cesar Chavez. She first became a vegan when she was six years old, and then convinced her friends and family to follow a vegan diet.[1][2] At the age of eight, she asked the Long Beach, California city council to endorse 'Meatless Mondays'.[3]
At the age of ten, she gave a TEDx talk, "A Ten Year-Old's Vision for Healing the Planet" that discussed the negative impact of animal agriculture on the environment.[1] She also runs her own Global Youth Movement.[4] Butler is featured in Disney's 2020 Marvel Villain Project.[5][6] She is the founder of the nonprofit organization Genesis for Animals, which raises funds for sanctuaries around the world.[1]
In 2019 Butler was the spokesperson for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals' pitch to Pope Francis about veganism;[7] the group offered $1 million donation to a charity of his choice if he endorsed people to eat vegan for Lent.[8] In 2023, she made a similar pitch to Prince William.[9]
References edit
- ^ a b c Kazenoff, Tess (2023-09-11). "Vegan since she was 6, this 16-year-old activist is on a mission to fight climate change". Long Beach Post News. Retrieved 2023-12-26.
- ^ Staff, BOTWC (2023-03-30). "2023 'Young Frontrunner' Honoree Genesis Butler Wants To Save The Planet, Starting With What We Eat". Because of Them We Can. Retrieved 2023-12-26.
- ^ Tousignant, Marylou (14 April 2020). "Vegan persuades city leaders to endorse 'Meatless Mondays'". The Washington Post ; Washington, D.C. pp. G.5 – via Proquest.
- ^ Pandika, Melissa (2020-09-15). "This 13-year-old animal rights activist has a pretty solid plan to save the planet". Mic. Retrieved 2023-12-27.
- ^ "12 kids who are changing their communities and our world". Washington Post. Retrieved 2023-04-25.
- ^ De Nova, Jessica (2020-02-19). "13-year-old animal rights advocate in Long Beach named Marvel hero". ABC7 Los Angeles. Retrieved 2023-12-26.
- ^ Clarke, Kevin (April 2019). "Pope Vegan the First?". U.S. Catholic ; Chicago. Vol. 84, no. 4. p. 42 – via Proquest.
- ^ Hanna, Chris (9 February 2019). "Environmental group offers Pope Francis $1 million to eat vegan food for Lent". Telegraph-Journal ; Saint John, N.B. pp. B.15 – via Proquest.
- ^ Henni, Janine (September 13, 2023). "This Gen-Z Activist Is Offering Prince William $1 Million — Find Out Why (Exclusive)". Peoplemag. Retrieved 2023-12-26.