OUR MISSION

San Francisco Vegan Society (SFVS) is a non-profit, volunteer-run organization founded in 1968

We promote the adoption of a vegan lifestyle for healthy, ethical and sustainable living. Based in the historically progressive San Francisco Bay Area, we offer a community for people to meet, learn, exchange ideas and information, and interact with others interested in compassionate living for a better world.

SFVS welcomes people wherever they are on the path to an all-plant, vegan diet and lifestyle. Together we can make this movement grow and encourage a way of life that is better for your health, better for the well-being of animals, better for the environment, and better for humanity. We couldn't do this without the support of our members, so please join us today!

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Our Long and Vibrant History

San Francisco Vegan Society has been at the forefront of plant-based living for over 50 years. In 1968, the year following San Francisco’s Summer of Love, Frederick Baldus placed an ad in San Francisco Chronicle calling for “Vegetarians Unite.”

Thirty compassionate people responded to the ad. They decided it was not enough only to preach peace and love for our fellow humans. One year after their first meeting, San Francisco Vegetarian Society was incorporated as a non-profit organization to advocate kindness to all animals and the protection of the beautiful planet we all share.

The Early Leaders were Frederick Baldus (President 1968-1974), Dixie Mahy (Vice-President), and Suzanne de Pichon (Secretary/Treasurer). Dixie became the President and led the organization for four decades from 1975 to 2015. This period is fondly remembered by many older members.

A brief visual history of SFVS was presented by our former president, Greg Rohrbach, at the 50th anniversary during the 19th Annual Veg Festival opening remarks.

In 2023, SFVS moved forward with a vital rebrand to become the San Francisco Vegan Society. This change was more than just a new name; it was a necessary alignment of our identity with our ethics. We recognize that the exploitation of dairy cows and egg-laying hens is inseparable from the plight of animals raised for food. To remain true to our legacy of advocacy, we chose to move beyond 'vegetarianism' toward a consistent, modern understanding of animal rights—one that honors the dignity of every sentient being.

Dixie Mahy

The "grand matriarch" of the San Francisco vegetarian and vegan community

Key Contributions & Leadership

Decades of Presidency: Mahy served as the President of SFVS from 1975 until her retirement in 2015. She first learned about and joined the society in 1969, a year after it was founded..
"Veg Day" Milestone: In 2010, she was a driving force behind San Francisco becoming the first American city to officially declare a “Vegetarian Day” (Meat-Free Mondays), urging restaurants and schools to offer plant-based options. By working with Supervisor Sophie Maxwell, a vegetarian for over 23 years, the resolution was adopted on April 6, 2010.
World Vegan Festival: She was instrumental in growing the society's annual World Vegan Festival, one of the longest-running events of its kind in the country.

December 2013

Dixie Mahy dancing up a storm at her 80th birthday party. Video courtesy of Chef Lisa Books-Williams.

Dec 23, 2014

Dixie Mahy and Greg Rohrbach from the San Francisco Vegetarian Society talk about the virtues of eating plant based foods for the health of people, animals and the world. This program was aired on KMVT15 Community Media.

Dixie Mahy was elected to the NAVS Board of Trustees, and appointed West Coast Coordinator.(courtesy of Vegetarian Voice Sept/Oct, Nov/Dec 1975)
Dixie Mahy at 2003 World Vegan Festival (WVF)
At WVF (year unknown)
Millennium Restaurant in 2014. (courtesy of VegNews)
Dixie Mahy dancing with WVF attendee (year unknown)
Dixie and Roberta at Dixie's 80th birthday party, 2013
Dixie Mahy (center) with Greg Rohrbach (left) 2014
Dixie in San Francisco (June 2016)