Madge Darneille

A vegetarian since the age of four, Madge has been called the First Lady of Vegetarianism in North America and served off-and-on as president of the Veg Society of DC (VSDC) for 22 years, lastly in 1996. VSDC history has been referred to as “before Madge” and “after Madge.” She was also a founder and board member of the North American Vegetarian Society (NAVS) and the Vegetarian Union of North America (VUNA), and Assistant Secretary of the International Vegetarian Union (IVU) for about two decades. She co-founded World Vegetarian Day in the 1970s.
I knew Madge very well, for over 25 years, and we kept in touch in her later years by phone every couple of months. She was a mentor, trusted friend, and so supportive and dedicated.
We are grateful to Madge for her many years of pioneering leadership and inspiration - unique as a strong female leader in the 1960s, when even today, our movement is disproportionately high with men in charge.
We send our deepest sympathy to her family and friends. Madge will be missed immensely.
Saurabh Dalal
Lanham, Maryland, USA
April 15, 2019
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