Kalista here. Today is a special day.

Two decades ago, when The Humane League was just getting started, the idea of convincing a multi-billion-dollar industry to stop keeping hens in battery cages—one of the cruelest and most ubiquitous inventions on factory farms—seemed almost laughable. But a small group of kind individuals rolled up their sleeves and got to work.

Today, we look back on hundreds of millions of hens who have been spared the grief of experiencing life from behind the bars of a cage. Our founders dared to imagine a better world for animals. Two decades later, you’re one of the people daring to create it. 

Setting out to transform the way a multi-billion-dollar industry operates was pretty audacious. And that happened. Can you imagine what else this community can achieve?

Over the last two decades, thousands of people like you have become living proof that our collective power is strong enough to take down systems once considered untouchable. We’re tearing down the cages built for animals—and maybe even the cages we’ve built for ourselves.

I’ll leave you with this quote from Margaret Mead, which rings especially true today: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”

Cheers to 20 years, for the animals. 🎈

P.S. You should be so proud to be one of the people fighting against this cruelty. And I am so proud to be making history with you. Let’s celebrate… with a Spotify playlist! 🎶

P.P.S. Also, a little blooper: Mark's email to you earlier today mentioned, "Over 90% of THL's donors give an average gift of $22 a year." What we really meant to say was that among 90% of our donors, the average gift is $22—and more over the course of the year. The point is, this is truly a people-powered movement. And the generosity of this community inspires me every day.