Kathy Najimy Honored at Sublime Restaurant for Helping Animals

Everyone who knows Kathy Najimy knows that she’s as compassionate as she is comedic—especially the folks at PETA, considering that Kathy has been helping us stop cruelty to animals for more than a decade. We decided it was high time to repay some of Kathy’s kindness, so we honored her with a Compassionate Action Award and a celebration at PETA patron Nanci Alexander’s terrific vegan restaurant, Sublime, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Nanci spoke to the packed house about Kathy’s efforts to promote cruelty-free eating, encourage people to be good guardians to their dogs, get horse-drawn carriages off New York City streets, save animals from being killed for their fur, and have SeaWorld’s captive marine mammals retired to ocean sanctuaries.

During her acceptance speech, which was both moving and funny, Kathy said, “When I first got involved with PETA a billion years ago, it was like having an affair with the hot bad boy on the street. You knew he might be trouble, but you just couldn’t resist him!”

And we didn’t have to look far to find the evening’s talented entertainment. Kathy’s daughter is singer and songwriter Samia Najimy Finnerty, a young woman with a voice like an angel—who’s also a vegan PETA supporter.

As conversation, laughter, and plans for action for animals filled the restaurant for the rest of the evening, Kathy’s words seemed to stick with the crowd: “I volunteer for a lot of different causes, and I’ve never met anyone more dedicated to their work than the people at PETA. I love them because they actually DO things. They do whatever is necessary to prevent pain and suffering of animals.”