Breathe Magazine

When she's not being Betty, Teri enjoys the outdoors with her boys.

Teri Kent, Founder of Better World Betty
Teri knows that we care about the planet and want to make a difference. She also knows that we lead hectic lives, and may not have the time to collect the info or resources needed to take action. In her community of Charlottesville, Virgina, Teri has filled this niche with Better World Betty, an online tool that makes it easy-and fun-for area residents to add a healthy dose of eco-friendliness into their daily grind.

LG: Have you always been passionate about the environment?
TK: I’m pretty passionate about a lot of things. When I taught middle school English, I managed to squeeze in my concern for the environment – I still have a button one of my students made which says, “Don’t pollute.” And I love the outdoors, growing up in the mountains and deserts of Utah. The pristine areas of the West are in constant need of protection from drilling, development and other forms of encroachment. It wasn’t until An Inconvenient Truth and reading article after article about climate change that I really decided to take my personal concern to the next level – out into the community.

LG: So, what’s the story behind Betty?
TK: I have a button that was on a pair of jeans I bought in college, which has a fifties-era housewife on the phone, and it says “Betty.” I’m a keeper, so I’ve had it all these years. And I was reading The Better World Handbook, a book about how to align your day-to-day actions with your concern for the environment. A friend of mine was complaining about all her piles and the fact she didn’t know where to take the household batteries she collected. The idea for Better World Betty came to me and I called her, “I can be your Better World Betty – ask me where to recycle and donate and I’ll find the local answer!” The concept grew from there. I love the idea of Betty cooking up ways to take care of the Earth, our collective kitchen, which needs tender loving care now more than ever.

LG: Does Better World Betty go beyond the website?
TK: Yes! I have a radio show with a local guy who has been in the recycling business for years, called the Bruce and Betty show. And I have a monthly column in Charlottesville Weekly’s Abode. Both of these share helpful ways to reduce consumption and live more earth-consciously. Also, last year we held two events: Bread for a Better World and Betty’s Summer Picnic with trash bowling, a litter cleanup, local foods and the band Trees on Fire. I also do a free online newsletter once a month.

LG: Tell us about your family.
TK: My husband and I moved to Charlottesville ten years ago when he was seeking his PhD at UVA. We have two beautiful boys, who I have had the pleasure of staying home with for the past eight years. Before that I was a middle school language arts teacher. My love of mountains (the big Rocky Mountain kind) has been replaced by my love of trees. Virginia has some amazing trees!

LG: What are your favorite trails in the Charlottesville area?
TK: My favorite hiking trails are ones that are kid-friendly and include water – Ivy Creek Natural area or Sugar Hollow’s Blue Hole. Unfortunately, I haven’t done a lot of mountain biking here in Virginia. I was spoiled in Utah with places like Moab!

LG: What kind of response have you gotten from folks in your community?
TK: Everyone’s incredibly supportive. I have an eleven-member board comprised of activists, business owners, professors and Charlottesville’s Mayor Dave Norris and Jane Fisher of the Charlottesville Community Design Center. I’ve had people come forward and want to volunteer and contribute in-kind. The media has been wonderful – local NPR did a story and the TV stations have reported on our events. “Ask Betty” is a feature where people can email me local green living questions and I love feedback thanking Betty for finding a place for a defunct TV, for example.

LG: Do you see Betty growing beyond Charlottesville?
TK: My mom loves telling the story of Betty and people always say, “My city needs a Betty!” My big vision is for Betty to be a resource in cities all across the nation.

LG: Can you share a favorite green tip?
TK: Consider a product’s life-cycle when making purchases. Is this sustainable? Is it recyclable? Do I really need it? Avoid the one-use items like disposable plastic.

LG: How about a favorite quote?
TK: My favorite quote right now (I love quotes) is, “Don’t ask what the world needs, ask what makes you come alive. Because the world needs more people who have come alive.” –Howard Thurman

LG: Most loved links?
TK: I love to get re-inspired by newamericandream.org or infuse a little eco-humor into my life with grist.org.

LG: What gets you going in the morning?
TK: Breathing actually. I love to begin with meditation unless my exuberant boys come climbing into bed before I get a chance! At the very least I try to set an intention for the day.

LG: How do you unwind at the end of the day?
TK: Unwind? My head hits the pillow and I’m out!

LG: Which eco-friendly products do you like these days?
TK: If I have the time, I like to make green-cleaning concoctions from baking soda, lemon juice and vinegar, for example, instead of buying them. I like the vision behind Seventh Generation. I also have a lot of respect for Bill McKibben and what he created with Stonyfield Farm and their partnership with Preserve, which has a great line of personal care products and storage items made from the recycled yogurt containers.

LG: Who’s been the biggest influence in your life and why?
TK: That’s a tough question – certainly my immediate family has had a huge influence in my life. My husband and I have been married and known each other for 20 years. His job has given us opportunities to travel and therefore expand my perspective. Eckart Tolle, author of The Power of Now, has also had a dramatic influence on my life, inviting me to shed negativity and return to each moment as it is. Young children do that, too. And, of course, I can’t forget my beloved mother.

LG: What do you like to do when you’re not making the world a better place?
TK: I love dancing Nia and being quiet out in nature with my boys.

LG: Are you working on any new projects?
TK: Yes! We are currently working on an advocacy and local action campaign called Be Your Own Betty. BYOB will include a website “makeover”-a more user-directed and informative experience, and the creation of a user profile to track action, as well as a green action wallet card and downloadable letters to businesses urging green action. Betty’s cooking up more ways to make it easier for you to take action!

LG: What’s your best advice for women on being their own Betty?
TK: Becoming your own Betty means doing one thing today that you didn’t do yesterday to be more sustainable, more earth-friendly. Just one thing. You decide what that is with Betty’s help. Then honor and celebrate those steps!

Find out more at betterworldbetty.org.