Past Galas

On May 20, 2001, Farm Sanctuary celebrated 15 years of protecting farm animals hosting its first ever Black-Tie Gala at The Plaza Hotel in New York City. With the strong show of support from celebrity activists, U.S. Representative Gary Ackerman (D-NY), and over 30 vegetarian, vegan, and animal-friendly companies, the event showed that farm animal issues are reaching into mainstream consciousness and that our efforts are moving the world toward a more humane future.

Hosts Grant Aleksander, Linda Blair, Chevy Chase, Sue Coe, Rue McClanahan, Peter Max, Mary Tyler Moore, Kevin Nealon, Stefanie Powers, and Ally Sheedy presented a moving and entertaining program, complete with a Live Auction by Chevy Chase featuring Sue Coe's latest Queenie Escapes the Slaughterhouse, an original piece created for Farm Sanctuary depicting the true story of a calf who escaped from the slaughterhouse.

Farm Sanctuary presented Guest of Honor Mary Tyler Moore with an original portrait by internationally-renowned artist Peter Max for her dedication and hard work on behalf of farm animals. Ms. Moore eloquently spoke out for farm animals, "To come face to face with a sheep, cow, pig, or goat and to look into their eyes is to see the depth of their souls...whether it's fear and terror in the eyes of an animal traveling to slaughter or the joy and trust in the eyes of an animal safe and comfortable at a place like Farm Sanctuary. Animals look to us for compassion and protection, and it is our duty to relieve their suffering."

Rep. Ackerman was awarded Farm Sanctuary's first Congressional Friend of Farm Animals Award for his commitment to farm animal protection. Congressman Ackerman has been a perennial defender of animals in the U.S. Congress, consistently scoring at the top of the Humane Congressional Scorecard. Since 1992, Gary Ackerman has worked to advance the Downed Animal Protection Act in the U.S. House of Representatives, and in May of 2000, he also introduced legislation to outlaw cruel confinement for veal production.

Guests were dazzled by The Plaza Hotel Chef Mark Felix's masterful creations, from vegetarian shrimp cocktail and vegetable dumpling hors d'oeuvres to a three-course gourmet vegan dinner of caesar salad with blackened tempeh, "Seitan Picatta" served on a bed of mashed potatoes with caramelized maui onions, grilled asparagus, organic tomato ragu and sautéed oyster mushrooms. Topped off by a scrumptious caramel and dark chocolate mousse dessert, the dinner also put the spotlight on vegan food.

With vegan favor bags full of even more goodies in hand, many newcomers to the movement left the evening with a new resolve to adopt a vegan diet. The event not only raised much needed funds for Farm Sanctuary's Say No To Veal advertising campaign, but was also an inspirational evening which strengthened our commitment to the shared goal of ending farm animal cruelty.