Star Street Teamers

Amy Jannette comes from an area known for its dairy farms, but thanks to her dedication to animals, things are starting to change.

Name: Amy Lynn Jannette
Age: 18
Hometown: Manitowoc, Wisconsin

What was the turning point that made you decide to devote your life to animal rights?

The reason that I became vegan and decided to devote my time to animal rights was when I watched "Meet Your Meat." That DVD was the thing that changed my life forever, and if you haven't seen it, I suggest you watch it. I cried for 45 minutes after I watched it. That is also the reason why some of my friends have stopped eating meat.

How did you learn about peta2, and what made you get involved?

I wanted to get involved with the Street Team just so that I could find out other things to do for animals, and it really pays off because you get free merchandise for just doing things for animals that I would do for free!

You recently went on tour with a PETA staffer, holding Kentucky Fried Cruelty demonstrations throughout the Midwest. Could you tell us about that? What was it like being a chickette?

I thought the whole experience was incredible! I had never flown on a plane before, so of course I was excited about that. Standing out on a sidewalk in a bikini was a little nerve-racking at first, but after the first time, it was a cakewalk. I also got to eat some really great vegan foods that I had never had before, like chocolate mint "cheesecake."

I think that the most interesting thing about the tour was the way that people reacted to us. I was expecting a really horrible welcome, but a lot of people were honking their horns with thumbs up. I don't think that people really know what goes on behind closed doors, and when they are exposed to it, they make the choice to be totally disgusted or ignore it. I feel that they ignore it because they don't want to hear what they are supporting is wrong.

What was your life like before you became an activist for animals?

I used to love a big red juicy steak, and now that kind of thing makes me gag. I would go to McDonald's all the time and get burgers. I used to also live off of cheeses and things like that, but I gave it up completely.

Is your family supportive of your animal rights beliefs, vegetarianism, etc.?

I come from a huge meat-eating, fishing, hunting, and farming family, so you can imagine how some of them reacted when I became vegan. My dad actually works on a dairy farm, he hunts, and he has a little hobby steer farm of his own. My grandpa is also a big hunter and a huge fisherman. My dad also grew up with five brothers and sisters on their small family farm. Coming from the dairy state, I don't think that any of them understand why milking a cow is bad for it or even the point of not eating any dairy products. I think that they are all getting used to the idea of me being vegan now, though, because at family gatherings, they will bring me food that is vegan, and it has just become something that I am.

What are your likes/hobbies?

I am always handing out leaflets and stickers to people about animals. I love sewing, cooking vegan food, listening to all kinds of music, and going to Country Kitchen with my boyfriend.

Because of comments from you and other customers, Country Kitchen has decided to offer a veggie burger at each of its restaurants. How did you approach the company?

I go to Country Kitchen almost every single day, and I mean seven days a week. That is like a second home to a lot of younger people in my town. We have our own designated booth, and we know everyone who works there by name--and they know us as well. The waitress that we have most often, Laura, knew that I was a vegetarian, and I would always tell her that they should get a veggie burger. Once in a while, when I would pay the bill, I would use the customer comment cards to request one as well. Then one day when I came in, Laura told me that she informed Country Kitchen that there is a vegan who always comes in and asks for a veggie burger and that they were adding one to the menu.

I feel that it is important that people who are vegan/vegetarian speak out so that more and more restaurants will offer vegetarian options.

Who is your favorite veg celebrity and why?

There are a lot of them, but I would have to say Pamela Anderson because she is beautiful and so many people know who she is, so that means that more people will hear about her being vegan and for PETA.

What is your personal message to the 75,000 Street Team members of peta2?

Whatever you can do to help is awesome, even if it is just handing out leaflets or stickers to people around your community. Every little bit makes a difference--even if people tell you that you are wrong, they are still hearing about it and you are getting the message across. I have only been vegan for seven months and I have actually gotten a lot of my friends to change the way that they think and eat.

Join the Street Team today. You'll earn free stuff for the things you do for animals, and you might even be featured as peta2's next star.