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From early animal protection advocates to today’s visionaries for the future of animal law, women have played an important role in shaping a better world for animals. These efforts have often been made without widespread public recognition. The profound influence of women on the animal protection movement is explored in our emerging topics course: Women, Animals, and Activism.
Historical Roots of the Animal Protection Movement
Women have played a key role since the earliest days of the animal protection movement, even in eras where they were otherwise largely excluded from public life. In 1869, Caroline Earle White co-founded the Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, which later opened the first animal shelter in America. Another early group called the Fur, Fin and Feather Folk, founded in 1889, was led by four women: Eliza Phillips, Etta Lemon, Catherine Victoria Hall, and Hannah Poland. These women fought against the cruelties of the fur trade and worked toward the protection of fish and birds.
By establishing their own organizations, women created spaces where they could hold the institutional and moral authority that was often unavailable to them. Beyond these prominent figures, animal protection work has been supported by countless women who anonymously organized local humane societies, volunteered time and effort to care for animals, and advocated for people and animals in their communities.
Many women who were animal advocates were also involved in other social justice movements. For example, Francis Power Cobbe worked on both animal issues and women’s suffrage, and famed American author Alice Walker has used her writing to advocate for animal protection and veganism as well as women’s rights and racial equity. Even when facing systemic barriers, women’s leadership and compassion have been a driving force in animal advocacy and other social justice movements.
Trailblazers and Contemporary Voices for Animal Law
Building on early accomplishments in animal protection, inspiring women continued to pave the way by developing the field of animal law. In the late 1970s, Lewis & Clark Law School Professor Joyce Tischler co-founded the Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF): the first organization dedicated to advancing animals’ interests through law. Because of her work with ALDF and her continued mentorship of women in the animal protection movement, including Pam Byce, Associate Dean of the Animal Law Program at Lewis & Clark Law School. Tischler is often referred to as the “Mother of Animal Law.” Highlighting her leadership and support, Byce says, “The world is a better place because of Joyce Tischler.”
Beyond academia, contemporary female leaders and activists in animal law lead grassroots movements, and national or international campaigns for animal protection laws, including animal welfare legislation. Several of our accomplished advanced degree alumni have been honored for their contributions in historically male-dominated fields.
Alumna, Ever Chinoda (‘17, Animal Law LLM, Zimbabwe), was honored by the International Fund for Animal Welfare with its Women in Conservation Award for being “a trailblazer in a male-dominated field, shaping the next generation of conservation lawyers and ensuring animals have a voice in the justice system.”
Alumna, Gladys Kamasanyu (‘20, Animal Law LLM, Uganda), is Chief Magistrate of the Uganda Wildlife Court. She was nominated by the International Association of Women Judges for Best Female Magistrate of the Year in Uganda for the Women in Law Awards.
These inspiring women are just a few examples of Lewis & Clark animal law alumni who have gone on to be recognized for their contributions to the field of animal law.
Emerging Topics: Women, Animals, and Activism
In the online advanced degree program, CALS offers an Emerging Topics course on Women, Animals, and Activism. Students learn about the historical contributions from women animal activists, as well as how the oppression of humans and animals is linked through social, economic, cultural, and political systems. The course explores philosophies like ecofeminism, which considers the parallel roles of women and nature in the social structure, as well as pragmatic efforts to improve the lives of women and animals. Students analyze actions from the women’s rights movement and apply lessons learned to the animal protection movement, paying special attention to rhetoric and strategies that have improved laws, policies, practices, and public attitudes. The course also explores the role of women in advancing animal protection, from historical roots and contemporary animal law.
If you’re interested in how animal advocacy interacts with women’s rights or other emerging topics, consider pursuing an advanced degree in animal law with the Center for Animal Law Studies (CALS) at Lewis & Clark Law School. CALS offers MSL and LLM degrees in animal law both in person in Portland, Oregon and online.