San Francisco Vegan Society

The San Francisco Veg Society is a non-profit organization that has been working in the Bay Area for over 50 years promoting a plant-based diet as a healthful and humane way of life. We always appreciate help, whether it is available once in a while or on an ongoing basis. You can volunteer http://www.sfvs.org/ to help with a variety of activities, from coordinating our programs to helping at our events. If you are interested in getting involved, please contact us. http://www.sfvs.org/

The Society hosts events throughout the year such as veg potlucks, picnics, dining out and lectures. Monthly meetings held most months. Please check www.sfvs.org for updates. A BRIEF HISTORY
If the British didn't coin the word 'vegetarian' in 1862, we might be known as the 'San Francisco Pythagorian Society', as people who followed a plant based diet were once known as 'Pythagorians'. "Vegetarians Unite!" A small classified ad starting with these words appeared in the San Francisco Chronicle in October 1968. It invited interested people to a meeting at the home of Fred and Hilda Baldus. Out of that meeting of 30 people, the San Francisco Vegetarian Society was born. In 1970, Dixie Mahy proposed creating a newsletter to promote the Society and its goals: primarily, to promote the education of a vegetarian diet, and the "Vegetarian Calendar" was born. Coincidentally, Dixie was immediately voted vice president. Long-time member (and patent attorney) Dave Pressman initiated the Society's discount program as a way to reward members. In 1974, SFVS president Dixie Mahy joined 2000 people at the first North American-based World Congress of the IVU - International Vegetarian Union. This was held in Orono, Maine. Jay Dinshah, who also founded the American Vegan Society, had founded NAVS, the North American Vegetarian Society, in advance of the World Congress expressly to host it. This Congress kicked off the organized vegetarian movement in the U.S., and groups were formed in Detroit, Los Angeles, New York and Maryland. Dixie Mahy and Madge Darnielle of VSDC--Vegetarian Society of DC--were sharing the observation that the vegetarian movement needed something akin to the environmental movement's Earth Day. A day to celebrate vegetarianism. World Vegetarian Day! Over the years SFVS has hosted most movers and shakers in the movement, including John Robbins, John McDougall, Dean Ornish, Howard Lyman, Ann Wigmore, Helen and Scott Nearing, Bill Shurtleff, and many others. Many speakers had their first experience in front of a vegetarian audience with SFVS. Now, the words vegetarian and vegan are now known popularly, and many 'mixed' restaurants are familiar with the terms. Professionals from many fields promote the benefits of a vegetarian diet, versus the old warnings of dire consequences. We have much to celebrate. Join us!

[Written by Dixie Mahy and Norma Wallace]