Monica Wooters Khan
An inside look at how community helped the Portland Changemakers grow into confident advocates for animals.
I went to Portland to spend a few days with the Changemakers. What I found was a team discovering what they’re capable of. This team has earned their name—and then some.
I flew in Saturday evening and met up with Victor and Julia for dinner. Over vegan Thai food at Norah’s, we caught up on their work, their lives, and how the Portland Changemakers have grown over the past year. This local group focuses on holding companies accountable for the inhumane treatment of animals.
From my last visit, what stood out right away was confidence. The kind that comes from knowing you’re not doing this work alone. Because the journey doesn’t always start with a megaphone in your hand. Over the next few days, I kept seeing that resolve show up.
It reminded me that confidence comes from community. And it’s something anyone can be part of, no matter where you are.
Time to check in at the Cambria
The next morning, we headed to the Cambria Hotel in the Pearl District. By the time we arrived, the hotel was already in motion. People were coming and going, bags rolling past—the usual rush, until it wasn’t.
The team didn’t hesitate. People stepped into their roles—leading chants, speaking out, holding their ground. For some, this was their first time protesting publicly, but it didn’t show. They trusted the plan and each other.
Inside, Julia and I went into the lobby to explain why we were there. She was calm and clear, and made it known we weren’t backing down.
Outside, the energy was focused. Megaphones carried the message. A few hotel guests stopped to listen—and stayed. What started with onlookers quickly became a crowd.
That conviction had been building for a year. The team stayed clear on why they were there: demanding follow-through for hens in cages. By the end of the protest, Oregon state legislator Shannon Jones had shown up to speak with the group about their demands.
This is what progress can look like.
Full-bodied coffee and conversations
Later that week, I met team members one-on-one for coffee—lots of it. Different neighborhoods, different schedules, different experiences. Everyone balancing full lives, and a shared commitment to end animal cruelty.
Sitting across from people individually gave me a fuller picture of this team. I heard how people found their way into the Changemakers, what felt hard at the beginning, and what’s changed over time. I saw the same confidence I’d felt at the Cambria—people trusting themselves more than they used to.
These conversations spanned different stages of life, from people early in their careers to others bringing years of experience into the movement. What they shared was a commitment to better the lives of animals.
By the end of a very caffeinated day, I felt deeply proud of this group.
Office hours for animal advocacy
My last day in Portland brought me to Lewis & Clark to speak to the Law School’s Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF) chapter.
I had to keep my cool when Adrienne leaned over to let me know that Rajesh Reddy, the Animal Law Program Director, and Joyce Tischler—one of the founders of modern animal law—had taken their seats.
Joined by partners from Pro Animal Oregon, we shared what we’ve learned about pressure, persistence, and holding companies accountable over time. I’m not an amazing public speaker, but I’ve given this talk enough times to stay grounded in why we are here: animals.
The room stayed engaged. Students asked thoughtful questions—some about how Changemakers get started, others about what it takes to keep going when progress feels slow. The conversation was practical and honest.
By the end of the visit, several students had expressed interest in getting involved. And that is how new Changemakers are made. Curiosity is where it starts.
What it means to be a Changemaker
As I waited at the airport to head home, I thought back to my trip to Portland the year before. I remember wondering whether the city was ready to build the kind of community and pressure animals need. There was a spark, but the rest was unknown.
After this recent visit, I had my answer.
There will be setbacks in Portland, and everywhere this fight for animals shows up. What carries us through them is community. The confidence I saw in the Changemakers came from people showing up together, learning together, and trusting one another to keep going.
If you’re reading this and wondering whether you’re ready, here’s what I’ve learned: confidence isn’t a prerequisite. It’s something you grow into when you find your flock.
Join the movement, we’ve saved you a seat.
