Every day, our choices are making an impact in the world, whether we’re conscious of it or not. I choose every day to work toward the changes I want to see.
As part of our series about “individuals and organizations making an important social impact”, we had the pleasure of interviewing Nina Jackel, Lady Freethinker.
Nina Jackel is a journalist, activist, and the founder of Lady Freethinker, a nonprofit media organization dedicated to creating a more compassionate world for all living beings. Founded in 2013, Lady Freethinker has grown into a global leader in animal advocacy, working to end animal cruelty around the world and providing food, veterinary care, and shelter to rescued animals.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Can you tell us a story about what brought you to this specific career path?
It all started with my childhood dog, Peggy, whom I felt a special connection with. She showed me the emotional depth that other animals are capable of, even though we humans don’t always recognize it. Later, I became a writer and journalist and soon realized I could use my work to help raise awareness of animal cruelty and help effect change. I started a blog called Lady Freethinker in 2013, where I was able to achieve this. I feel fortunate to have found an audience who loved animals as much as I do!
Since then, Lady Freethinker has grown into a nonprofit organization dedicated to exposing and ending animal suffering. We publish petitions and launch investigations into animal cruelty, and also operate a grant program for local rescuers. Our work has helped countless animals and has achieved coverage in major media outlets like The New York Times, The Guardian, National Geographic, and more.
Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you began leading your company or organization?
Every day brings a new story! One of the most impactful events happened after our very first investigation. Our team documented a dogfight breeding and kennel operation in Chile, and went to the authorities with video evidence without expecting much. What happened next was incredible: law enforcement went in, seized every dog from the property, and put the sweet pups into foster homes. The perpetrator ended up receiving what was then the highest-ever sentence for animal abuse in the nation’s history. That was the moment when I realized how much of a difference you can make when you dare to act.
It has been said that our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?
It certainly didn’t seem funny at the time, but in the beginning I made the rookie mistake of not getting business accounts for file sharing apps like Google Drive and Dropbox. Everyone was just adding things to individual (free) accounts. And then it happened — we all started running out of storage space and couldn’t upload anything new. And then, when people deleted files to clear space, we no longer had access to those images, documents, or whatever it was we needed to share. We basically had to start from scratch with new business accounts, downloading and re-uploading everything we needed. The lesson: have a business account for EVERYTHING, from the very start. It will spare you a lot of pain, even if costs a little extra up front.
Can you describe how you or your organization is making a significant social impact?
I’m especially proud of our work to help animals in Ukraine, who were devastated by the invasion just as humans were. We’ve sponsored a shelter for dogs and cats — some rescued from the front lines of war — as well as a feeding program and a vaccination effort, all in partnership with local organization Dobri Vchynky Razom. This effort helps not just animals, but people, infusing the local economy while helping families in need care for their beloved companion animals.
Can you tell us a story about a particular individual who was impacted or helped by your cause?
Titus and Tabitha were twin baby cows born into the dairy industry, in which twins are typically sent to slaughter. They were fortunately rescued and taken in by Happy Compromise Farm + Sanctuary, but they needed a place to house them. So my organization provided a grant to build a shelter for these sweet calves. Eventually, their mother was rescued as well and the family was reunited! They all live together happily now.
Are there three things the community/society/politicians can do to help you address the root of the problem you are trying to solve?
Yes! Animals need stronger protections across the nation and the globe. At home, please spay/neuter your pets, and keep them indoors with the family rather than outside. Support legislation to protect animals, such as better farmed animal welfare, bans on wild animal exploitation in circuses or traveling acts, and laws to end puppy mills/pet store sales. Most importantly, remember that although animals can’t tell us in words how they feel, they are intelligent, sensitive beings who feel joy, fear, and pain, just like us.
How do you define “Leadership”? Can you explain what you mean or give an example?
Leadership to me means inspiring others to do their best, through both guidance and example. This means providing thoughtful feedback and suggestions as well as showing the team the impact we’re creating together. At team meetings, I like to show updates of the projects they’ve contributed to, so they can see the faces we’ve all worked to help.
What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why. Please share a story or example for each.
- I wish someone had told me to prepare myself emotionally for some of the sad and graphic images I’d see. Getting into this work, I didn’t realize the extent of evil humans are capable of inflicting on our fellow species, from industrial abuses to sadistic “crush” videos. I have to remind myself that, even though it hurts to witness the suffering, the end result of advocacy makes it all worthwhile.
- I wish someone had told me to enjoy your victories. It’s easy to just instantly move on to the next thing — and there’s always something else to work on — but it’s important to take a moment to soak in what you’ve accomplished and see the positives, not just the problems.
- I wish someone had told me that vacations are not optional. At first, it feels scary to step away for even a few days. Then you realize that you’re going to be far more productive (not to mention happier) after some rest and relaxation.
- I wish someone had told me that you don’t need to do everything on your own — nor should you! To sustain your organization, you need to delegate tasks, especially for work that falls outside your strongest skill set.
- I wish someone had told me that it’s OK when successes take time. In this work, everything feels urgent, and it often is. But change is a slow process, especially for long-standing systems and mindsets. Every action we take today is a step toward that brighter future we want, and it might take thousands of steps to get there.
Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?
“What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.” ― Jane Goodall
That quote is a reminder that every day, our choices are making an impact in the world, whether we’re conscious of it or not. I choose every day to work toward the changes I want to see.
Is there a person in the world, or in the US with whom you would like to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might just see this, especially if we tag them. 🙂
I would love to have a (plant-based) meal with Paul McCartney to share ideas and discuss ways to help animals and the planet. He’s a hero of mine, and such a force for good.
You are a person of enormous influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. 🙂
I would love to inspire a movement of conscious consumerism, urging people to consider how both human and non-human beings may have suffered needlessly to produce the things we eat, use, or participate in daily. We don’t have to support cruel farming practices, puppy mills, or wild animal ‘tourism’ such as elephant rides, in which the animals endure heartbreaking conditions behind the scenes. Awareness is not always easy, but it’s everything when it comes to stopping some of the world’s worst cruelties.
How can our readers further follow your work online?
Please visit us at https:ladyfreethinker.org and sign up for our newsletter. Also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter/X.
This was very meaningful, thank you so much. We wish you only continued success in your great work!
Social Impact Heroes: Nina Jackel Of Lady Freethinker was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.