Published by Elena Waldman.
3 min readWhat if you were asked to remember the living individuals behind every meal? That’s the question at the heart of Pitzer College’s historic new memorial plaque, which honors the millions of cows, pigs, chickens, and other animals who have been killed and served as food on campus.
Backed by renowned civil rights activist, author, educator, and longtime vegan Angela Davis, the Pitzer Animal Recognition Memorial now stands outside McConnell Dining Hall. Paid for by PETA, it transforms an ordinary trip to the dining hall into an opportunity for reflection, inviting passersby to pause and think about the animals whose lives mattered.
Students, faculty, alums, PETA supporters, and Claremont Mayor Jennifer Stark gathered for its unveiling, celebrating the culmination of a years-long campaign to ensure that those animals are not forgotten.
“Every student who walks into this dining hall will be reminded that each animal killed for a fleeting taste was once a living, feeling individual who valued their life and didn’t want to die.”
—Pitzer alumna and PETA Special Projects Coordinator Ella Rosenblatt
After hearing from supporters of the memorial, attendees enjoyed vegan chicken tenders, demonstrating that compassionate meals nourish us without harming others.
Angela Davis Saw the Memorial as a Lesson in Kinship
Speaking about the project, Davis reflected on the role universities play in teaching students about their connections to others:
“A university is where students learn about that invaluable sense of relatedness and not only with humans who are fighting for life and fighting for better futures, but a sense of kinship with all other living beings on this planet.”
Turning Reflection Into Action
While the plaque cannot change the fate of the animals it honors, it stands as a lasting reminder that behind every serving of meat, eggs, or dairy was an individual who valued their life.
Cows, pigs, chickens, and other animals feel love, joy, pain, and fear, just as humans do. When given the chance, cows develop lifelong friendships, and mother hens teach calls to their chicks before they’ve even hatched. Pigs are curious, social, and love to cuddle. Some species of fish “sing” to each other to communicate.
For the students who pass it in the years ahead, the Pitzer Animal Recognition Memorial offers a simple invitation: reflect on those lives, recognize their value, and choose kinder foods instead. Because every animal is someone.
Pitzer’s memorial is historic, but we hope it’s only the beginning. Animal advocates are already pushing for a similar plaque at Wesleyan University, with the goal of bringing the same conversation about empathy, accountability, and animals’ lives to campuses across the country.
YOU Can Make an Impact With Every Meal
Each person who goes vegan spares nearly 200 animals every year, dramatically shrinks their food-related carbon footprint, and lowers their risk of suffering from cancer, heart disease, strokes, diabetes, and obesity. Anyone inspired by the memorial’s message can get started with PETA’s free vegan starter kit, which is packed with tips, recipes, and resources for making the switch.
