History

An old VHS tape and a tattoo
– by Laura Huth-Rhoades, President & CEO, do good Consulting

This machine changed my life back in 1991.

In 1991, I was a junior at Bradley University, there to study Political Science and on a path destined for law school. But I was deeply unhappy – bored with my studies and unmotivated by what a future in law would hold for me.

Lacking a Plan B, I set my constitutional and contract law books aside and began to explore life beyond my dorm room to discover my true passion and calling in life.

I found it one wintry evening in January when I stumbled into a meeting of a college group called Student Action For Environment, or SAFE. I’m not sure exactly what called me into that particular meeting – there were plenty of other activities on campus. After a short introduction and some opening business, the group leader, Heather, rolled an AV cart in front of the group and pushed a tape in (remember those days?).

My world changed.

A VCR machine, a documentary, and a new trajectory in life.

The story of Cesar Chavez unfolded before me through the documentary, The Wrath of Grapes. I watched a man I had never heard of before transform an otherwise voiceless people into a force for change: protecting the environment and fighting for fair labor standards and worker’s rights.

I was mesmerized. Electrified. The hairs on my arm stood up. And in that moment I knew I was meant to be an agent for social change.

My life was suddenly on a new trajectory.

Social change as a profession was not very common in 1991. I found my way using elbow grease, determination, and the grit my mother said she saw the minute I was born in order to create the experiences I needed to be successful in my newly-found career path.

The story of Cesar Chavez electrified me and pulled me from a career path of law to one of social change.

After a stint in the government sector that was productive but clearly not the right fit, I moved into the nonprofit sector with a job as Program Manager with the Illinois Environmental Council. From day one on that job, I knew I had found my calling, my place in the world.

So what’s up with the tattoo?

It was a dream – a premonition if you will. While working as Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity, I had a vivid dream one night that I had gotten a tattoo on my left wrist. So realistic was the dream of this small light green circle with the words “do good” imprinted inside that I woke up and checked my arm for evidence.

The image of this tattoo stuck with me and years later when I launched my consulting firm, I discovered exactly what the tattoo dream of years past meant. Today, it’s the symbol of the good work I do for nonprofits of all sizes across the U.S. who are in turn doing good in their communities for those who need them.