2017 Lisa Shapiro Awards
The College of the Melissae is proud to be a part of the 2017 Lisa Shapiro Awards honoring the unsung heroes of the global animal advocacy movement. Nominations are now officially open! Please help us say thank you to your favorite inspiring grassroots animal activists by nominating them at thepollinationproject.org/hero. This year’s award comes with a no-strings-attached $2,500 cash prize and a whole lot of vegan love from all over the world!
If you know anyone that has done great work for the animals of our planet, please nominate them and let the Pollination Project know what they are about. The Pollination project offers seed grants and networking opportunities to growing activist organizations and it has been an honor to both receive grants and participate in distribution of the Lisa Shapiro Award.
Nomination deadline August 13.
From the webpage:
The Lisa Shapiro Awards acknowledges the quiet superheroes of the Global Animal Advocacy Movement: people who work humbly behind the scenes, creating a world where animals do not have to suffer at the hands of humans.
On World Vegetarian Day, October 1, 2017, The Pollination Project will give no-strings-attached awards of $2500 each to five animal activists, selected by a diverse team of their peers.It is our way to acknowledge and uplift the love, commitment and hard work being done on behalf of animals, every day, in every corner of the world. Winners will also receive a “tithe”- a $250 donation made in their honor to any animal charity of their choice, plus a virtual celebration of their work.
The Awards are named in memory of Lisa Shapiro, an Unsung Hero for animals who passed away in June 2015 at the age of 50. Lisa’s legacy includes organizing hundreds of vegan events in her community and beyond, building and promoting vegan lifestyle brands, and inspiring and mentoring hundreds of new vegans over her decades of activism.
They are looking for:
Activists who work tirelessly and passionately as a voice for animals. They receive little if any recognition or glory for their work, yet they are unstoppable in their commitment to a more compassionate world for all beings. We especially look for animal activists who have an “intersectional” approach to their work.
People who have received very little, if any, public recognition for their work. They likely have not received awards or media attention and they are not promoting a personal brand.
“Selfless” individuals who ask for nothing in return for their dedication to advocating for a more compassionate and just world for all beings. They show humility, a sense of purpose over ego, and desire to serve the greater good above all else.
People with a proven track record of commitment to animal advocacy, whose work has stood the test of time.
Here are Pollination Project's tips for writing a great nomination:
Make sure your nominee is really qualified. Read all the FAQs in detail before writing your nomination.
Make your nomination very specific. What makes your nominee special among their peers? Avoid generalizations and platitudes.
Pick a story or two that really demonstrates who your nominee is. Is there a moment or event where the nominee really inspired you? Share that!
Put your heart into it. We are less interested in a formal report about your nominee, and more interested in why you are so passionate about them and their work. We want to feel your love for the person. Submitting a short informal video testimonial can also help convey your enthusiasm for the person. A photo of the person in action will help us get a better sense of who they are so please consider adding these elements to your nomination if possible.
