HER STORY ⟡ Laura, Her Best Foot Forward
Hello/Jambo, Friends! I’m Laura, the Founder of the Foot Forward Fund, a US 501c3 non-profit organization, and its social impact brand, Her Best Foot Forward. I have worked in non-profit my entire career, with a focus on education and humanitarian causes. I call Louisville and St. Louis home and have three wonderful grown children – plus an amazing husband, five dogs, and an incredibly curious pig. My passion around equity for women and girls drove me to create Her Best Foot Forward and work with a team of women Artisans in East Africa to create unique, high quality products for which they receive a fair wage and benefits for their families. Beyond this, what we do with our sales proceeds is also really cool!
HOW I STARTED:
Working in East Africa on a humanitarian water project in 2015, I bought some incredible, beaded leather sandals from a group of women Artisans. Arriving back in the US, these became my “go to” shoes and, everywhere I went, someone asked “Where did you get those shoes?” On my next trip to Africa, I returned to the market and got to know the women a bit better, eventually, ordering 50 pairs of sandals, which I brought back to friends and family. Through the sandals, I shared the story of these women who were preserving the art of Maasai beading and using their talents to care for their families. In return for contributions to my humanitarian water project, I gave each donor their choice of sandals. Enthusiasm for the products and purpose was palpable – I realized that I could help these incredible Artisans and generate funds to charitably support other women and girls.
I SAY OUR PRODUCTS ARE “BEYOND BEAUTIFUL” – HERE’S WHY!
Using donations and 100% of our net proceeds – there are no paid US employees – we founded and operate East Africa’s first 100% compostable sanitary pad production facility. Our facility is run completely by women and all of its products – the highest quality sanitary pad you can imagine which is also eco-friendly! – are distributed along with underwear and empowering education to girls to help them attend school with confidence.
WHAT I LOVE ABOUT RUNNING A NON-PROFIT
Just like when my kids were small – the days are long but the time goes quickly – there is never a dull moment! Along with the struggles, nearly every day I get to see the goodness in people. Whether it is a member of our Production Team mentoring someone new, a kind note with a donation, a young woman here in the US using her voice for a peer in Africa, goodness outweighs the challenges.
HOW I STAY INSPIRED:
My colleagues – and the girls we serve in East Africa – truly inspire me. With all the obstacles to opportunity and equity they face, they persist. So, when I feel, tired or overwhelmed, I think of the woman walking a mile to get to a real road where our van can pick her up for work or the 12-year-old who now understands and has underwear – and amazing pads! – when she gets her first period.
HOW TO PARTNER WITH HER BEST FOOT FORWARD:
It costs just $12 to support 1 girl with menstrual hygiene for a year and there are a multitude of ways you can partner with Her Best Foot Forward. Options include:
Join our monthly donor program – the 5.28 Circle! – or make a onetime donation here
Explore our wholesale collection to sell in your store (online or brick and mortar!) or salon – it’s a great way to share your heart and values with your customers!
Reach out to inquire about hosting an in-store/in-home/or virtual event to promote our products and cause.
Get your gang of gals together to make our CYCLE CIRCLES – menstrual cycle tracking bracelets –it’s so much fun and sends a little bit of heart (time and talent!) with us to Africa!
WHAT ARE CYCLE CIRCLES?
CYCLE CIRCLES (or CCs) are beaded bracelets featuring five bold colors to help young women just starting menstruation tune in to their cycles—so they can feel confident each day. Lots of groups – including sports teams, book clubs, scout groups, and more! – gather together, purchasing our Cycle Circle Action kits for a remarkable group activity. Once you assemble, the order of the colors in a CC provides a guide for a young girl in Africa so that she can better understand what can be expect during different phases of the menstrual cycle. You can also keep and share your CCs here in the US to create menstrual hygiene equity and awareness at home! Learn more here!
CONNECT WITH US:
Learn More At: www.FootForwardFund.org
Twitter/IG: @herbestfoot
Facebook: @herbestfootforward