Pattrice Jones, a co-founder of VINE Sanctuary and acclaimed author of “The Oxen at the Intersection,” has been a stalwart activist for social change since the 1970s. Her journey of veganism began at 15, driven by her concern for the sexual exploitation of cows and hens in the dairy and egg industries.
In 2000, alongside partner Miriam Jones, she established the Eastern Shore Sanctuary in rural Maryland. The sanctuary later found its home in Vermont in 2009 and was rebranded as VINE Sanctuary, symbolizing the evolution towards veganism. In the early 2000’s, Jones played a pivotal role as the primary organizer of the Global Hunger Alliance (GHA), a worldwide network of activist organizations that collaborated for the 2002 World Food Summit, linking up with 90 other supportive groups globally, including prominent names like People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, and Uncaged Campaigns.
In 2012, Jones found herself at the forefront of a battle to save Bill and Lou, two oxen residing at Green Mountain College in Poultney, Vermont. Following an injury to Lou, the college decided to slaughter both and serve them in the dining hall. This sparked outrage from students and animal rights advocates. VINE intervened, offering the oxen a haven at VINE Sanctuary. Tragically, the college ultimately chose to euthanize Lou, thrusting the controversy into national headlines. Jones chronicled this heartrending saga in her book, “The Oxen at the Intersection.”
Pattrice will be speaking at 2:30pm.
