MALAGA, N.J. (July 24, 2026) — Freya Dinshah wrote “The Vegan Kitchen,” the first U.S. cookbook with the word "vegan" in its title — decades before the word had ever appeared on a restaurant menu. On Sunday, July 26, she will receive the 2026 Homo Ahimsa Award for that book and for six decades of work that helped build the modern vegan movement from the ground up. Presented by In Defense of Animals' Interfaith Vegan Coalition during the second annual Homo Ahimsa Day, the award honors individuals whose lives exemplify ahimsa, the principle of nonviolence toward all beings.

The ceremony launches Homo Ahimsa Awareness Week, seven days of practical actions that encourage compassion for Earth, humans, and all other animals. Homo Ahimsa, meaning "nonviolent human," envisions humanity evolving beyond homo sapien violence toward peaceful coexistence with all life.

A vegan since 1960, Dinshah served on the American Vegan Society’s board for 65 years, including 25 years as president, and continues today as president emeritus and senior editor of American Vegan magazine. She has taught plant-based cooking to people of all ages for more than five decades — long before "plant-based" had a grocery aisle of its own.

Freya frequented dozens of events each year with her vegan books and materials. Photo: American Vegan Society

"Freya has helped shape the modern vegan movement through a lifetime of compassion, education and joyful advocacy," said Lisa Levinson, animal chaplain and co-founder of In Defense of Animals' Interfaith Vegan Coalition. "She embodies what it means to live with ahimsa and inspires all of us to build a kinder world."

"'Ahimsa' is the Sanskrit word for nonviolence, and our Homo Ahimsa Award honors those who live with deep respect for all life," said Judy Carman, co-founder of the Interfaith Vegan Coalition and author of Peace to All Beings and Homo Ahimsa. "Every act of nonviolence changes the future. Homo Ahimsa Awareness Week reminds us that peace begins with the choices we make each day for animals, one another and the Earth."

“‘Ahimsa,’ which means without hurting, is the principle that guides our lives as vegans,” said Dinshah, who added she is deeply honored to receive this year’s award.

Throughout Homo Ahimsa Awareness Week, participants are invited to practice compassion through seven daily actions:

• Sunday, July 26: Attend the Homo Ahimsa Award Ceremony
• Monday, July 27: Download and share In Defense of Animals’ Vegan Starter Guide
• Tuesday, July 28: Prepare or enjoy a vegan meal with Happy Cow
• Wednesday, July 29: Join Widening Our Circle of Compassion at 4 p.m. PT 
• Thursday, July 30: Attend a virtual panel on Sharks & Aquatic Animal Activism at 2 p.m. PT
• Friday, July 31: Watch A Prayer for Compassion or read Homo Ahimsa
• Saturday, August 1: Participate in Respect for Fish Day 

The Homo Ahimsa Award was established in 2021 to recognize individuals who embody the vision of a humanity that rejects violence and domination in favor of compassion and peaceful coexistence. The award is inspired by Carman's book Homo Ahimsa: Who We Really Are and How We’re Going to Save the World.

"We can end violence toward animals, people, and the Earth by choosing compassion in every action," Carman added. "Together, we can evolve into a kind and just species: Homo Ahimsa."

Event Information

Register to attend the Homo Ahimsa Award Ceremony on Sunday, July 26, at 1 p.m. PT during V-COP26: Vegan Convergence of the Peoples:

Register to attend the ceremony

Select the "Let me attend for free" option through Friday, July 24 at 8 p.m. PT, or "Let me attend for less" after that time. Registrants will receive the Zoom link by email for security purposes.

The ceremony will also stream live on the In Defense of Animals Facebook page:

Watch on Facebook

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Contacts:

Lisa Levinson, In Defense of Animals/Interfaith Vegan Coalition, lisa@idausa.org, 215-620-2130

Judy Carman, Interfaith Vegan Coalition judycarman@ymail.com, 785-760-2446

Freya Dinshah, American Vegan Society, freya@americanvegan.org, 856-694-2887 

Images: https://bit.ly/HomoAhimsa26

Organizations:

In Defense of Animals (IDA) is an international animal protection organization with over 250,000 supporters and a 40-year history of fighting for animals, people and the environment through education and campaigns as well as hands-on rescue facilities in India, South Korea, central California and rural Mississippi. www.idausa.org

The Interfaith Vegan Coalition (IVC) was founded by In Defense of Animals and provides faith-based tools for spiritual and ethical communities to embrace nonviolence and compassion toward animals. The coalition comprises more than 65 member organizations and partners around the world. www.interfaithvegancoalition.org

The American Vegan Society (AVS) is a nonprofit educational organization founded in 1960 to advance vegan culture through education, publications, events and outreach. Guided by compassion, integrity, nonviolence and inclusion, AVS works toward a world where vegan culture thrives and all animals are free from exploitation and harm. www.americanvegan.org  

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