PEACE. LOVE. ICE CREAM. Ben and Jerry’s Public Elations Manager talks about the Power of Corporate Activism

Ben & Jerry’s is famous for more than their assortment of mouth wateringly tasty ice cream, the company has made a serious effort to devote themselves to advocating for socially responsible causes.

Laura Peterson the Public Elations Manager at Ben & Jerry’s visited Lynn University on Tuesday March 13th to discuss the company’s mission. The mission which consists of three correlative parts is to make fantastic ice cream, manage the company for sustainable financial growth and thirdly, keep up a social mission which compels them to use their company in innovative ways to make the world a better place.

The founders started their business in 1978 out of a renovated gas station in Burlington Vermont, the two best friends turned business men, Ben and Jerry, had two things in common, a love for ice cream and social justice.

Peterson described Ben Cohen as an individual with ‘social justice burning within.’ Cohen believes one of their founding principles to be that ‘business has a responsibility to give back to the community.’

Corporate Social Responsibility, which can also be referred to as Corporate Citizenship, is a form of corporate self-regulation incorporated into a business model.

People used to look to religion for social reform and guidance, then it was politics, however in recent years due to the boom of the business industry, corporations now have a platform and a huge following in which they can choose to do good.

Peterson explained, “For a while the greatest force for social change was religion.” However, “today and since World War II it is business.”

A few of the controversial issues Ben & Jerry’s cares about as listed on their website include ‘Get the Dough Out Of Politics,’ ‘LGBT Equality’ and ‘Climate Justice.’

Racial Justice is another matter the ice cream company spoke up about. Peterson included a slide in her presentation with one of their tweets stating, ‘Black Lives Matter. Choosing to be silent in the face of such injustice is not an option.’ The tweet, which included a link, was followed by emojis displaying united fists in every skin colour.

The interesting and passionate speaker Peterson left the crowd with a couple messages, both simply put. One shaped out of ice cream read, Save Our World. The other, Peace Love. Ice- Cream.