Oprah Named PETA's Person Of The Year

Oprah Winfrey has been named Person of the Year by PETA.

PETA president Ingrid Newkirk said that Winfrey “used her powerful voice to defend those without one,” and was selected for using her talk show to raise awareness of issues such as puppy mills and the treatment of chickens and other animals in factory farms. She also went on a vegan diet for a week, and in April dedicated an episode of her show to her late cocker spaniel Sophie.

Previous winners of the PETA award include U.S. Sen. Robert Byrd of West Virginia in 2007 and the founders of the San Francisco-based cleaning product company Method in 2006.

The animal rights group says it will send Winfrey an award plaque and a letter of appreciation in recognition of her compassion towards animals.

To read what else PETA said about Oprah’s award, click here.