Emily the Cow Grave and Animal Rights Memorial - Sherborn
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NorStar
N 42° 14.588 W 071° 22.184
19T E 304487 N 4679490
Emily the cow once escaped a slaughterhouse, rambled through the forest until she was given asylum at the Peace Abbey, then lived there until her death, where she was buried here, and is now a symbol for animal rights and veganism.
Waymark Code: WMFT0C
Location: Massachusetts, United States
Date Posted: 11/25/2012
Views: 3
In Sherborn, behind the peace memorial featuring Ghandi, is a grave and memorial for Emily the Cow.
The grave is located on the grounds of the former Peace Abbey (now closed and incorporated into a new center at the University of Massachusetts, Boston). The site is easily visible from the road. Parking is available around the area, such as on Village Way and in the town hall parking area on Route 16.
The monument is a bronze statue of a cow that has blankets and a flower lei on her, on a circular concrete base, with flowers on the corners and plaques. Surrounding the monument are plaques with quotes about animal rights and veganism.
A plaque nearby relates the story of Emily:
"Sacred Cow
Animal Rights Memorial
[Foreign Language Text]
On November 14, 1995, Emily the Cow jumped a 5' gate out of a slaughterhouse in Hopkinton, MA and ran for her life. For 40 days, townspeople helped her evade capture and the sure return to the killing floor. Through backyards, state forests, family gardens, in record amounts of snow, Emily was spotted foraging for food, was often seen running with a herd of deer. Making headlines in local newspapers the story of Emily's plight reached the Rands family who purchased her from the slaughterhouse. With friends, they brought her to live in sanctuary at the Peace Abby on Christmas Eve.
[Foreign text]
Over a period of 8 years, the door to Emily's barn was always open. Visitors from all over the world tool pilgrimages to be in her presence and to receive her love, Emily was attentive and accessible to all who came. There were no boundaries of culture or religion. She loved interacting with all creatures, great and small, human and non-human...
...May your visit to Emily's grave inspire you to expand the circle of compassion and love to include all God's creatures."
Another plaque provides a eulogy of Emily:
"...
Born - Circa 1993
Escaped from Soughterhouse - November 14, 1995
Arrived at the Peace Abbey - December 24, 1995
Passed on - March 30, 2003
Buried - April 2, 2003
Sacred Cow Ceremony - Clippings of Emily's hair, traces of her blood and a piece of her golden thred released into the Holy River Ganges in the City of Benares, India - April 19, 2003.
Emily served as a powerful symbol of courage, inner wisdom and survival to thousands of people who came to know and ove her. She inspired many to embark on the road to vegetarianism and cruently-free living and to appreciate more fully the sacredness of all life. Her gentle and loving nature imbued us all with a deeper sense of connection and respect for all creatures with whom we share this planet. Emily's spirit will live on in the hearts & minds of those who were touched by her grace and beauty, in each person who becomes vegetarian for ethical reasons, in every animal that escapes from the slaughterhouse. The is her legacy and gift to the world.
Meg & Lewis Randa
..."
On the monument is the Emily Prayer:
"Dearest Emily, Patron Mother of all animals both living and deceased:
We ask that you help and guide us as we walk through life following your gentle and compassionate example.
For those who struggle with a vegetarian lifestyle,
give them the courage to take one day at a time,
remembering your courage in escaping the slaugherhouse.
For those who seek to follow the path of nonviolence,
help them to see all beings as their brothers and sisters,
in the circle of love, just as you did.
For all of us, Emily, continue to heal the wounds and sufferings, not only that we inflict,
but also those that are inflicted upon us.
And in our final hour, help us to pass on in peace
knowing that our lives have made a difference in this world.
A gift of prayer in gratitude from Dot Walsh, Abbey Chaplain"
There are many more plaques around the monument that you will just have to come and visit to read.
Type of Memorial: statue
Type of Animal: service, work animal
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Proof of visit is required. The easiest proof is a gps photo of the memorial. GPS photos will always be acceptable proof. Individual waymarks may ask for an alternative type of proof of visit.
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