Celebrating The Life Of Betty White
Editor: Betty White would have been 100 years old today, January 17, 2022. One of the most important aspects of her life was her commitment to Animal Rights.
Celebrating The Life Of Betty White
By MAHINROOP PM
Animal Advocate
Betty White, the iconic American actress, comedienne, singer and legendary TV personality left us on December 31, 2021, just seventeen days before her one hundredth birthday. America’s ‘golden girl’ will be missed, like few other celebrities. Betty was not only a pioneer in show business, but she was a pioneer animal rights activist, too. She was a compassionate advocate for animal protection and animal rights, throughout her long life. For decades Betty White has been known for her generosity; giving to animal rights causes, zoos, and foundations across the country. It was Betty White who stepped up and paid for the plane to relocate penguins and sea otters being evacuated from the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. I believe Betty would want to be remembered for her work as conservationist and devoted animal lover, as much as she would want to be remembered for her celebrated 80 years in show business.
Expanding Activism
Betty White worked tirelessly for more than 50 years with the Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association. In a public statement, the GLAZA remembers “her service, her enduring friendship, her lifelong advocacy for animals, and her dedication to supporting our mission. ” The star deeply cared for all living creatures and her demise will leave a huge hole in animal protection endeavors. As White’s fame grew she expanded her animal activism. One of her most beloved charities was The Seeing Eye in New Jersey, one of the country’s oldest guide dog schools.
Our Loss
The world has lost a vocal champion for animal protection and animal rights. The world will miss Betty White’s kindness, wisdom, generosity and sense of humor. Her passion for wildlife and animal conservation helped Betty White stand head and shoulders above the rest. She was instrumental in drawing attention to endangered species worldwide. The National Zoo in Washington DC wrote in her memorial, “White’s love of animals inspired us and others who care and protect (vulnerable) creatures.” Betty White was a trailblazing animal rights activist with impeccable credentials.
Author And Activist
ASPCA President and CEO said, “Betty White demonstrated a lifelong commitment to helping animals in need, including dedicated support for local shelters and animal welfare endeavors, fiercely promoting and protecting animal interests in her entertainment projects, and personally adopting many rescued animals.” As part of her decades long work she wrote at least half a dozen books. Notably, half of them focused on mankind’s relationship with animals. “The Leading Lady” written with Tom Sullivan was about a blind man and how a guide dog changed his life. Other titles include, “Betty & Friends,” “together,” and “Pet Love.” During her long career, she also hosted a number of animal centric TV specials including ‘Hero Dog Awards’, ‘Big Cat Week’, and ‘Betty White Goes Wild’.
A Life Well-Lived
Betty White will be remembered as a compassionate advocate for vulnerable animals and an incredibly talented performer, who kept us entertained for over 80 years. Fans took to Twitter, to publicly thank her for her ceaseless commitment to animals, after her death at the end of December. One thing is sure, everyone loved Betty White, for a million different reasons. Her life was truly well-lived. Betty herself summed it up, “I am the luckiest person in the world. My life is divided in absolute half: half animals, half show business.”
*In honor of Betty White, please consider donating to your local no kill animal shelter.
References
https://nypost.com/2021/12/31/betty-white-was-a-trailblazing-animal-rights-activist/
https://variety.com/2022/tv/news/betty-white-animal-advocate-pet-set-la-zoo-1235145541/
