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May 19, 2023Liked by Michele Simon, JD, MPH

Miyoko has been a supporter of VWS since the first summit in S.F. when it actually seemed to be about veganism and supporting women. Since then, it has turned into a food tech business fair and a book promotion event opportunity for Jenny. It’s disturbing and appalling that as Miyoko’s “friend” and co-chair and fully understanding what Miyoko was enduring with her founding company, Miyoko’s Creamery, Jenny would ask Miyoko’s Creamery to be a sponsor. I’m impressed with Miyoko’s strength, resolve, and follow through to still attend the event.

Miyoko was also supposed to be on a panel representing her animal sanctuary, Rancho Compasión, along with two other sanctuary founders discussing their humane program for teens and animals (LEAP) but was decidedly dropped in favor of for-profit food tech leaders discussing $$ and business. Where’s the veganism without discussing the animals??

I decided not to attend this year’s event and do not plan on attending any in the future. It’s not a vegan womens summit, it’s a tech and employment fair/book signing event where the top entrepreneurs strut their stuff.

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May 19, 2023·edited May 19, 2023Author

thank you so much for these observations Maral. I concur that was has been billed as an event to support women is simply a vehicle to support Jenny, which let's be honest, it always was as why else would Jenny create it if not to promote her own interests based on what is it now. I don't think that changed over time, I just think she saw where the money was, in "food tech", which is very much a man's game. Sure women are involved, but as you say, the vegan movement is about activism, including around animals. The most shocking part to me is the betrayal, Jenny was obviously never Miyoko's "friend" and was using her all along.

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May 17, 2023Liked by Michele Simon, JD, MPH

Thank you, Michele, for explaining in a few words the despicable way in which Miyoko is being treated by women I thought were on “her side” in this whole mess !!!

It makes me sad to see the company she founded is even allowed in the door at the Vegan Women Summit !!!

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I know, Melanie, it's just horrible!

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May 18, 2023Liked by Michele Simon, JD, MPH

I know that both Miyoko and Jennifer are/were friends. What is Miyoko saying about this? Why would Miyoko attend if her company's sponsorship was held onto? Why wouldn't Miyoko make a public statement that she is not attending the Forum in order to stand up to the company that fired her, as well as call out the whole event Committee on this? I am confused.

FYI The Vegan's Women's Summit has been geared towards privileged white women from the start. If one is going to take on equity issues, one has to name that Miyoko was part of this when it was created and thus has participated in an org that is just continuing to not promote inequity of women's voices. Lower Middle Class and Working Class vegans cannot afford to attend these Summits. There has been no provision built in to help these folks attend, hence..... inequity. Miyoko has said she would like to use her time post firing from her company to address these issues in the work she does. This is a good opportunity to do so.

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she is attending to fulfil her obligations as she has integrity. Fair points on the rest.

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PS Finally figured out Substack 😀🎉😎

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Since she is apparently chair of the event, it would be awkward not to promote the company she founded. If she is not chair....

It's not known to me how much of the internal battle has gone public.

As a former sponsorship professional, who started on the ground floor of sponsorship industry, I agree that the formatting of the ad tends to suggest that Miyoko's Creamery is a Presenting sponsor of the event, equal at least to the Alb... (whatever) company they show as "partner."

If other companies, who paid a higher fee, see that ad, I believe they would have grounds for questioning the ad design as-well-as any amount they paid for Presenting rights that are above the amount the Creamery paid.

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