SPEAK is an all-volunteer organization. Since 1990 SPEAK has been educating people about the conditions of animals and the environment. SPEAK representatives offer presentations to schools at all grade levels and present lectures to civic and community groups. Topics discussed include animal welfare, animal rights, vegetarianism, and the environment.
SPEAK also participates in tabling events, and hosts lectures and conferences. SPEAK publishes several animal rights brochures, an e-newsletter, and provides spokespersons for
media interviews. Our SPEAKers have also taught animal rights in adult education programs and hosted an animal rights show TV show, which reached hundreds of thousands of people for three consecutive seasons.
Speak was founded in Tucson, Arizona by Roberta Wright and began as a local animal advocacy group focusing on education. Soon a few humane educators in different parts of the country became aware of and asked to partner with SPEAK
when giving their presentations. In 1995 SPEAK co-chaired the "Lobsters Love Life, Too" campaign. This animal rescue effort was aired on ABC’s 20/20. In 1996 SPEAK, together with Pima County Animal Control,was responsible for shutting down a Tucson pet store and removing more than 60 grossly neglected animals. SPEAK also publicly condemned and embarrassed the Make a Wish Foundation for its position on granting hunting wishes.
In 1995 SPEAK produced the first Star Awards in Tucson
to honor those who have made a difference for the animals. Animal rights advocates, animal welfare people, business owners, legislators, media luminaries, and youth activists were all honored. Alex Pacheco, Co-Founder of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) was the keynote speaker. This uplifting and elegant banquet was received so warmly by animal activists that SPEAK hosted it again the following two years. Captain Paul Watson, Co-Founder of Greenpeace and Founder of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society was the keynote speaker in 1996 and Ingrid Newkirk, Co-Founder and President of PETA delivered the keynote address in 1997.
SPEAK moved from Tucson to Chicago in 1998. The following Autumn SPEAK held "Lifestyles of the Healthy and Humane: Conference on Vegetarianism." This conference was the first of its kind held in Chicago and included notable personalities, Gene Bauston, Executive Director of Farm Sanctuary, Howard Lyman, author of Mad Cowboy, and Jim Mason, attorney and author.
When SPEAK moved to Chicago it had 17 humane educators, all but three were located in the Tucson area. It was decided the time was right for SPEAK to expand and become a national humane education speakers’ bureau. SPEAK now has close to 45 SPEAKers in several states.
SPEAK’s ties also continue to remain strong with Tucson. In 1999 and 2000 SPEAK in Tucson rescued five horses from the slaughterhouse and placed them in a sanctuary in Montana. SPEAK activists in Tucson also rescued a Brown Swiss calf,
named McLucky. Today McLucky is in a loving sanctuary in California. SPEAK-Tucson is headed by SPEAK founder, Roberta Wright.
In the summer of 2000 SPEAK hosted Peace for the New Millennium: Conference on Non-Violence to all Creatures. Chris De Rose, president of Last Chance for Animals, Ingrid Newkirk, president of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, and philosopher Tom Regan were the headline speakers. In addition, eight of SPEAK’s finest humane educators offered presentations on a variety of animal rights topics. More than 150 people attended this daylong conference.
In 2001 SPEAK hosted the first Star Awards vegan banquet in Chicago. Six awards were presented to people who have worked to make the world a better place for animals. Captain Paul Watson, founder of Sea Shepherd International was the keynote speaker.
SPEAK president, Jacquie Lewis recently testified before the City of Chicago Health Committee on the proposed city ordinance to
end the sale of foie gras in Chicago. SPEAK was also one of the sponsors of this ordinance, along with Farm Sanctuary, the Humane Society of the United States, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, and In Defense of Animals. On April 26, 2006 a Chicago ordinance to end the sale of foie gras in Chicago restaurants passed by a nearly unanimous vote.
On June 3, 2006 SPEAK hosted The Emotional Intelligence of Animals symposium at the City of Chicago Animal Care and
Control. Six Speakers, including humane educators from Tree House Animal Foundation and the Anti-Cruelty Society offered presentations.
Please see the Chicago Events page for further information on past, current and future SPEAK events.
