Sometimes people get defensive—even hostile—when caring individuals speak out against animal abuse. It’s important to stay positive and persevere, even when criticized. Those are qualities that I admire in Dani Alexander, a woman who attended her first demonstration—against the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo—last year. A uniformed police officer refused to let her cross the street to get to the demonstration, bitterly saying, “You already took our circus—now you want the rodeo, too?” He insisted that only rodeo attendees could cross the street at that location and spat his sunflower seed waste at her.

Charming guy. But Dani didn’t give up. She continues to demonstrate against the show, even though she’s been called every horrible, insulting word or phrase that you could think of. She’s a small business owner, and her business was attacked on social media. She’s received hateful messages and even death threats. But she continues to do what’s right.

She says that she takes strength and solace from knowing that the way in which she defends animals is how she would want to be defended if she were in their position. But it’s important to unite with other compassionate people and ask for help when it’s needed. “Support from your friends and allies is crucial,” she says. “I had support from my husband, my friends, and a huge movement of support from PETA.” (You rock, Dani! We’ve got your back.)

Dani passionately speaks out against the rape of animals for breeding and was “mortified” when she saw how animals at the livestock auction were sexually assaulted, treated as commodities, and sold to the highest bidder. “I know harming animals is wrong; I know to be silent about it is wrong. It is a fight I want to support and it is the example I want my child to see,” she says.

She knows that the future is vegan, and she chooses to be on the right side of history. Amen to that, Dani. Keep up the good work! We’re all in this together. How do you stay positive against adversity? Share your story in the comments section below.