Tabitha Brown isn’t the first vegan influencer, but she is the first whose warm, soothing voice and motivational words made millions pay attention—including PETA.

According to Essence, PETA named Brown as its 2020 Person of the Year for showing us her “happy, healthy life.”

“Tabitha Brown is fun, friendly, helpful, humane, and living, breathing proof that a joyful spirit and a clean conscience are keys to a happy, healthy life,” PETA President Ingrid Newkirk said in a statement given to ESSENCE. “PETA is honoring Tabitha Brown for being a breath of vegan fresh air in the weirdest year ever.”

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A post shared by Tabitha Brown (@iamtabithabrown)

Throughout the year, Brown has utilized social media platforms—Instagram and TikTok—to bring her delicious vegan recipes to the masses. From her chickpea “untuna” salad to jackfruit tacos, she has inspired many to try her mouth-watering vegan meals.

“I always tell people, I didn’t start eating non-vegan food because it wasn’t good,” she told Essence. “I did it to save my life.”

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A post shared by Tabitha Brown (@iamtabithabrown)

To celebrate Brown’s new honor, PETA and Brown partnered with Houston-born “artivist” Nikkolas Smith to recreate Norman Rockwell’s “Freedom From Want” painting to promote vegan eating.

“My goal is to always make people feel loved, seen, and heard. That is part of the reason I do my videos very close to my face. I want people to feel like it’s just me talking. I’m here for you, and thankfully, God has really purposed me for this moment.”

PETA

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