There’s a New Vegan Badass on YDV

By Published On: 17 December 2012Last Updated: 17 January 2017

I chose these four writers because each of them brings a unique perspective on veganism, all different in style and delivery, but united under one common baseline.

What's in this post

When I asked people if they wanted to join YDV, to bring their voices to the movement, I had no idea if anyone would apply.  I was blown away by all the people who took the time to send their work to me.  That’s some stellar stuff right there.  You guys have lots of opinions and you ain’t afraid to use ’em!  Love.

But I couldn’t hire on all of you, I had to choose just a few.  And I did.  I chose these writers because each of them brings a unique perspective on veganism, all different in style and delivery, but united under a common baseline.  These writers intrigued me, got me to think about veganism in a way I hadn’t before.  They inspired me, and I hope they inspire you too.

Meet Daria, a new YDV Writer…

Daria Zeoli: A Voice for the Voiceless

Turkey at Woodstock Animal Sanctuary

Close-up Turkey Style at Woodstock Animal Sanctuary ~ Photo Credit: Daria Zeoli

My mother hates it when people call me “Dahhh-ree-uh.” You know, the pronunciation used by MTV animated character and, truthfully, my alter ego, Daria Morgendorffer. I suppose it’s her right to feel so strongly, since she picked the name and all. So, since most of you are meeting me for the first time, allow me to introduce myself: I’m Daria. The “Dari-” is pronounced like Larry. Now that we have that out of the way…

In the past few years, I’ve been honored to discover the work of some really incredible people in the vegan movement. From cookbook authors to podcasters, from sanctuary directors to plant-based doctors and dieticians, from authors to filmmakers to bloggers, we are so lucky to be part of a movement that has such varied and eloquent voices.

I find that my voice is best used in written form – in fact, I have a degree in communications from back in the day when I thought I’d be a journalist/music critic. But I digress. While written form doesn’t spare anyone the potential for my potty mouth, it spares me the awkward possibility of public speaking and having to maintain eye contact. Everybody wins!

I went vegan three years ago after reading Skinny Bitch. I’ll be straight with all of you: all of those lovely diseases that run rampant in the United States – diabetes, cancer, heart disease – also run rampant in my family tree. The thought of cancer – which my grandmother succumbed to when I was eighteen – scares the crap out of me. I’d be lying to you if I said health did not play a part in my decision to ditch meat and animal secretions.

But my being vegan is so much more than a health thing. Nothing has made more sense to me (except perhaps the greatness of John Hughes, The Beatles, and Stephen King). Environmentally. Ethically. It all fit together, and something clicked in my head. Once I experienced that shift, I found it hard to understand how not to make this choice.

The past three years have been full of invaluable experiences. I’ve met my vegan heroes. I’ve walked for farm animals and marched in a veggie pride parade. I’ve inspired others to take steps towards reducing their animal consumption. I’ve met beautiful animal ambassadors – including some turkeys who made an indelible impression on me. Perhaps the biggest realization I’ve had –  you know, besides the realization that animals are not here for us – is that we all have a voice, and there are countless ways to use it. This point is not to be taken lightly; remember, anytime we use our voice, we are speaking for billions who cannot speak for themselves. How can we not speak, then?

KD has been lovely enough to invite me to use my voice here at YDV.  I hope that all of you, new to the movement or seasoned pro, are using yours as well!

2 Comments

  1. Daria December 17, 2012 at 5:41 pm - Reply

    Hi, Miloko, and thanks for the welcome! You’re right, birds really do have beautiful eyes. I was so surprised by how awesome turkeys are when I first had the chance to meet some of them face to face!

  2. Miloko December 17, 2012 at 1:05 pm - Reply

    Hello Daria! Thank you for your introduction post. It was thought provoking, friendly and definitely in the spirit of YDV (as I’ve seen it so far). I’m looking forward to hearing more from you on these pages in the future. Plus, what a great Turkey close-up! Birds have incredibly beautiful eyes if you can get close enough to admire them.

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HELLO! I'm KD Angle-Traegner.

Writer, activist, and founder of Four Urban Paws Sanctuary. I’m on a mission to help people live a vegan life. Read more about KD…

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