Frances Moore Lappé is an American researcher, author, and activist best known for her work around food, nutrition, and sustainability. Born on February 10, 1944, she gained widespread recognition with her 1971 book, "Diet for a Small Planet," which was one of the first to critique the inefficiency and social injustice of the global food system and emphasize the importance of adopting a plant-based diet for environmental sustainability and food security. Lappé has continued to write and advocate for democratic political processes, food systems that are sustainable and equitable, and ways to address the root causes of hunger and poverty. She co-founded several organizations, including the Institute for Food and Development Policy, also known as Food First, and the Small Planet Institute, through which she continues her advocacy work. Lappé's contributions to social issues have made her a respected figure in the environmental and social justice movements.