VRG > Vegetarian Journal > 2013 Issue 1 > Vegetarian Action

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Vegetarian Action

Marla Rose

By Aileen McGraw

Based in Chicago, Marla Rose promotes veganism through creative action. She cofounded the Chicago Vegan Family Network, started the Chicago VeganMania festival, blogs as Vegan Feminist Agitator, has two vegan-based columns on Examiner.com, and wrote the novel, The Adventures of Vivian Sharpe, Vegan Superhero.

Vegetarian since 15, and vegan (along with her husband) since 1995, Marla shares her passion with vegan youth. In 2004, she and Lisa Joy Rosy founded the Chicago Vegan Family Network, which she calls a "sanctuary, a place where [children and their parents] are understood, supported and accepted...through building community, we deepen the foundation of compassionate living values and help to create proud, confident, independent children."

CVFN reaches out to kids, who then find their own forms of vegetarian action. Marla helps her son Justice demystify his lifestyle through videos in which he speaks for what he is: a vegan child. "Undoubtedly, our large and small efforts create a powerful ripple effect," she reflects, "which results in an environment that is more open to our values."

With her family, Marla's vegetarian action plays to kids' interests. They volunteer at animal shelters and run a vegan lemonade and treat stand called the Stand for Kindness. On Thanksgiving, they bring an inflatable turkey to life, complete with a sign that aims to inspire others to try a vegan holiday.

Marla gets young vegetarians involved in every method of outreach. VeganMania, a festival she co-founded and produced, fills Chicago with vegan vendors and innovations. The family and kids area of past festivals included vegan cupcake decorating with local bakeries, a mini playground, and natural seasonally-inspired arts and crafts.

Continuing her outreach for all ages, Marla authored the novel, The Adventures of Vivian Sharpe, Vegan Superhero, giving readers an authentic coming-of-age story. The creation of genuine, dynamic characters that expose vegan youth to teenage challenges was essential to Marla.

"In terms of my novel and outreach to kids, my first obligation was to write a compelling story with complex characters," Marla explains. "After that, if there is any outreach with my novel, it is to inspire readers to think about their own lives, where they can make positive changes that go against the grain, and become empowered to be bold, passionate and engaged members of our world."

Be it blogging via Vegan Feminist Agitator, attending campouts and potlucks with CVFN, or helping Justice make kid-friendly Vegetarian Starter Kits, Marla's son fuels her dedication. "I want to be an example to him that it is up to us to create the world we want to inhabit," she says. "You don't like what you see? Change it. You don't see what you want to see? Create it."

Aileen McGraw wrote this article while doing an internship with The Vegetarian Resource Group.