Jay Dinshah’s posthumous book Powerful Vegan Messages is coauthored by his daughter Anne Dinshah. Jay eloquently explains the ethical reasons to be vegan. Over forty vegan luminaries share their stories of how they were influenced by Jay. Anne encourages readers to explore ways to promote positive action in the world towards veganism.

H. Jay Dinshah was a motivational speaker, lifelong vegetarian, vegan since 1957, founder of American Vegan Society in 1960, editor of Ahimsa magazine, and president of AVS for forty years. More important than the positions held or organizations founded, Jay was excellent at planning vegetarian and vegan conferences and encouraging people to get involved.

After touring a slaughterhouse in 1957, he vowed to work every day until all the slaughterhouses are closed! Jay lived every day in tireless service to the cause of helping animals by educating people. His tools of choice were veganism and ahimsa. He believed in the powers of cooperation, nonviolent action, and communication. He married his penpal Freya who worked alongside him for forty years and continues as AVS president today. Their two children are Daniel and Anne.

Organizational Leadership: In addition to leading American Vegan Society, Jay also was a cofounder of North American Vegetarian Society (NAVS) in 1974, the first NAVS president, and editor of Vegetarian Voice magazine. Various times he worked for American Natural Hygiene Society (now National Health Association) including as Acting Executive Director in 1983. He was also the first president of the Vegetarian Union of North America (VUNA) 1987-1989. Jay was on the International Vegetarian Union (IVU) Executive Committee as international council member 1967-1984 and executive vice-president 1971-1984.