Amandah makes organizing a demo look like a piece of vegan cake. Maybe that’s because she’s got a big vegan bone to pick with KFC, the notorious abuser of chickens. Check out Amandah’s interview to see what makes this activist star such an effective advocate for animals.
Name: Amandah Povilitus
Age: 17
Grade and School: Senior at Valley View High School
What was the turning point when you decided to devote your life to animal rights?
I’ve always loved animals, but never knew how I could drastically help them, short of donating to the Humane Society and little things like that. One day, I was reading a magazine, when I came across an article regarding this amazing girl who opposed fur so much that she got arrested for her beliefs! I read on and learned that by becoming a vegetarian I could save 83 animals a year. I haven’t eaten meat since I read that article. A little later, someone told me about PETA. I stumbled across the Web site and was horrified at what was happening to animals around the world. I ordered the vegetarian starter kit and a copy of “Meet Your Meat”. The video had such an impact that I instantaneously became a vegan.
When and what was your first activist experience?
My first activist experience was a KFC protest. A boy in my school was visiting a local college and saw a flyer for the event. Thinking that he’d make fun of me, he ripped it down and brought it for me. I saw this as a great opportunity to get involved, and I immediately contacted the girl in charge and told her I’d be there. The protest, followed by a parking-lot leafleting, went great and began my new life as an activist. How ironic!
What was your life like before you became an activist for animals?
Becoming an activist has had such an impact on my life. I have overcome my fear of public speaking, have met incredible people, and have learned that bugs have feelings, too! I always used to ask myself, “What is my purpose?” Now, I know. My purpose on this Earth is to spread the message of animal liberation as far and as wide as humanly possible and to be a part of the change that we so drastically need.
What is your job title/department?
Hear me out. I am a supervisor at McDonald’s. It may sound hypocritical, but I was only 15 when my parents split up, and my Mom was left with some major bills—mortgage, cars, etc. For my family’s sake, I needed to get a job, pronto. It was the only way we would be able to afford our house! At my age, the only place in my area that would hire me was McDonald’s, so I didn’t have a choice. I currently make $7.50 per hour, which is, sadly, still the best-paying job in my area, so I continue to work there.
However, there is a positive side to this story. Since I started there, I have had some coworkers try vegetarianism and see that it really isn’t that tough. I help lower daily waste when I’m able to do so. I’ve talked to regular customers about my “crazy” lifestyle and opened their minds to a different kind of diet. I talk to customers with dogs (it’s funny how many people just go to McDonald’s for their animals) about Iams cruelty and making sure that they make their companion animals part of the family and never leave them in the car when shopping. And when applicable, we wear “I’m an Ele-Friend” and other stickers (you know, McDonald’s is a “family environment”). The way I see it, as much as it breaks my heart every time someone orders a Double Quarter Pounder With Cheese or a 20-piece Chicken McNuggets, it would help animals more if a vegetarian sucked it up and worked in this environment rather than a lazy meat-eater who couldn’t care less how much (s)he eats and throws away. I try as hard as I can to make light of my situation and make a difference. Remember, McDonald’s bowed to public pressure to change, along with Burger King and Wendy’s. Keep protesting, leafleting, and demonstrating against KFC! Sooner or later, they’ll have to change, and it’ll mean a world of difference for the chickens! If you or someone you know works at KFC, remember to hand out KFC worker leaflets!
What are some proud animal rights moments/big campaigns you worked on, changes, success stories, events organized, tabling, rescues, etc.?
My most recent demonstration was also my most successful. On July 4, I chained myself to a doghouse for about 8 hours outside the biggest baseball game/fireworks display of the year to raise awareness of the plight of the perpetually chained dog. We asked people to remember their dogs’ freedom on Independence Day and to make them a part of the family—friends don’t chain friends! We also had a table where people could sign letters to our state’s senator, asking him to push for a law banning or limiting perpetual chaining. We ended up mailing 87 letters!
Were you ever in a situation where you went against your parents, your teacher, or another authority figure by taking a stand and refusing to do something because of your compassion for animals?
I’m in the process. In our school band, we are forced to wear these awful berets, and I recently discovered that they are made of wool! I’m going to fight to get them changed to synthetic, and regardless of whether they change or not, I will not be wearing one this upcoming football season until it is composed of a cruelty-free material.
What is your personal message to the more than 30,000 PETA2 Street Team members?
Keep fighting the fight! Things may seem tough at times, but animals need us to speak for them! Never give up! You’d be surprised what a brief protest or leafleting session can do—I have new people contact me all the time, saying that they saw our protest, read a leaflet, saw my letter in the paper, or adore my cute “I Am Not a Nugget” bag—and want to help! I’m so happy to have met so many new friends; I love every one of you—keep being the awesome people that you all are!
Finally, if you had to be a type of vegetable or fruit, which one would you be and why?
I would be a soybean. Soy is incredible—it can become breakfast, lunch, dinner, a snack, or dessert! Try doing that with a corpse. Nope, didn’t think so.
Now, follow Amandah’s lead and get out and protest! Check back next month for our next Star Street Teamer profile.
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