10 Questions: Vegan Rockstar with Rachel Bjork

Rachel Bjork, President of the Board of Northwest Animal Rights Network (NARN), is a fairly recent contact of mine but I am already so impressed by the kindness, dedication and commitment to positive messaging she shows on social media. A vegan since 2000, Rachel has seen the ebb and flow of the vegan movement, especially through the lens of being so deeply involved with a very active organization like NARN, so it’s always great to get that long-term perspective. I am honored to feature Rachel as this week’s Vegan Rock Star.

1. First of all, we’d love to hear your “vegan evolution” story. How did you start out? Did you have any early influences or experiences as a young person that in retrospect helped to pave your path?

I was a gradual vegan. I college I started going vegetarian for health reasons. Once I got back home to Seattle, I started attending EarthSave potlucks where I met some vegans and from there I learned about eggs and dairy and the more I learned, the less I wanted to eat either. I become serious about going “full vegan” once I got involved in NARN (Northwest Animal Rights Network) in 2000. It was so helpful to know other vegans and to be reminded of WHY I didn’t want to consume animal products. Community was definitely important in getting me to fully commit to being vegan.

2. Imagine that you are pre-vegan again: how could someone have talked to you and what could they have said or shown you that could have been the most effective way to have a positive influence on you moving toward veganism?

I think that I got that influence from people that were just honest with me about why cow milk is terrible for you, and what happens to chickens used for eggs and cows used for dairy. No one got angry with me for NOT being vegan, they just provided me with information. That approached worked on me.

3. What have you found to be the most effective way to communicate your message as a vegan? For example, humor, passion, images, etc.?

It really depends on who I’m communicating with. I’m a big proponent of tailoring your message to your audience. I always tell other animal rights advocates and folks interested in engaging in outreach, to LISTEN to the other person. Pay attention to what they are concerned with, what…