About the Founder and Executive Director, Jodie Wiederkehr
​Jodie Wiederkehr (WID-uh-ker) has dedicated her life to protecting animals.
Growing up in a caring family, young Jodie rescued injured birds, comforted chained dogs, and even nursed a poisoned rat to a veterinarian—early signs of a lifelong passion.
​As Signature Campaign Director and Statewide Volunteer Director for the Committee to Protect Dogs, Jodie helped lead the campaign to place the Greyhound Protection Act on the November 2008 Massachusetts ballot. The initiative passed, ending greyhound racing in the state.
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In 2011, Jodie founded the Center for Ethical Science in Chicago. She works to educate the public about the cruelty, taxpayer cost, and unreliable results of animal experimentation, as well as violations of the Animal Welfare Act. At the same time, she raises awareness of innovative scientific methods that are more humane, reliable, and cost-effective.
In 2015, Jodie launched Chicago Alliance for Animals (CAA). Just 2½ years later, under her leadership and with the help of volunteers, Chicago became the largest U.S. city to ban horse‑drawn carriage rides.​
Jodie’s hands‑on, relentless advocacy (documenting on‑street violations, lobbying aldermen, mobilizing community action, and collaborating with over 200 organizations), set the standard for effective grassroots campaigns.
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In 2017, Jodie founded the Partnership to Ban Horse Carriages Worldwide, and has been mentoring chapters around the globe, including;
Atlanta (GA), Boston (MA), Cape May (NJ), Charlotte (NC), Charleston (SC), Lexington (KY), New Orleans (LA), Philadelphia (PA) and Savannah (GA), and also in the Niagara region of Canada.
Her success earned her recognition as PETA’s 2020 “Outstanding Activist” and “Hero to Horses.”​
In 2021, under Jodie’s guidance, the Chicago Alliance for Animals helped close Chicago’s “puppy-mill loophole.”
The reform strengthened the city’s pet-store ordinance by preventing stores from using fake rescue organizations as middlemen to continue selling puppies from the cruel, poor, and inhumane conditions of commercial breeding operations.
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Jodie’s approach is powerful, simple, and inclusive: “easy actions anyone can take in just a minute”.
“[We] Gratefully present the Shining World Compassion Award to Jodie Wiederkehr (vegan) in recognition of your tireless work, protecting the lives of animal-people with all love, respect and appreciation.
Wishing you continued success in your noble endeavors, and may Heaven bless you abundantly, always.”
-Supreme Master Ching Hai (vegan)
Chicago Alliance for Animals is a grassroots, all-volunteer organization.
​Animals depend on the voices of a few compassionate individuals, such as yourself.
Urging government officials to use their power compassionately is how we create solutions for animals.
Without cries from the affected communities and animal advocates, animal suffering remains out of sight, out of mind.
