Author and founder of BEanAnimalHero.org.

Susan has been rescuing, advocating, and educating for all species of animals to live free from harm for 41 years.

Who Won the Be an Animal Hero Paul McCartney Veg Advocate Award?

At the Hearts and Heroes event, supporting the empathy-fostering, lifesaving education and animal activism of Be an Animal Hero, a surprise guest shared an uplifting message.

It was a great night of film, food and fun. The screenings of "The Heart Whisperer" and "Liberty" and other films created by Shaun Monson inspired the audience with stories of hopeful change for all species of animals.

In 2012, I gave the first Paul McCartney Veg Advocate Award in Los Angeles, in front of an audience of 250 school children. This year, the plant-powered power couple Joaquin Phoenix and Rooney Mara were the recipients, for using their massive reach to speak up for all beings.

Heart Phoenix congratulated animal heroes of all ages in the audience for choosing kindness, and emphasized the importance of fostering empathy. The Phoenix matriarch raised her family vegan - at a time when no one had even heard of the word! She founded the River Phoenix Center for Peace-building, which does exactly what the name says. All of their events are vegan too, so all animals are considered, two-legged and four.

"The good news is no matter how old we are, we can all help animals in need," Paul McCartney said.

The Vegan Hero Sub Challengers wowed us all with their delicious creations. Dina's Vegan Deli won the main award with her gyro hoagies. Darbster, Dope Vegan and La Chia Vegana were also recognized for their animal-saving dedication.

If you missed attending, you can still join us and support our mission at BEanAnimalHero.org.