Call number
305.42 GA
Collection
Publication
Flatiron Books (2019), 288 pages
Description
Biography & Autobiography. Sociology. Women's Studies. Nonfiction. HTML: "The Moment of Lift is an urgent call to courage. It changed how I think about myself, my family, my work, and what's possible in the world. Melinda weaves together vulnerable, brave storytelling and compelling data to make this one of those rare books that you carry in your heart and mind long after the last page." â?? BrenĂ© Brown, Ph.D., author of the New York Times #1 bestseller Dare to Lead "Melinda Gates has spent many years working with women around the world. This book is an urgent manifesto for an equal society where women are valued and recognized in all spheres of life. Most of all, it is a call for unity, inclusion and connection. We need this message more than ever."â?? Malala Yousafzai "Melinda Gates's book is a lesson in listening. A powerful, poignant, and ultimately humble call to arms." â?? Tara Westover, author of the New York Times #1 bestseller EDUCATED A debut from Melinda Gates, a timely and necessary call to action for women's empowerment. "How can we summon a moment of lift for human beings â?? and especially for women? Because when you lift up women, you lift up humanity." For the last twenty years, Melinda Gates has been on a mission to find solutions for people with the most urgent needs, wherever they live. Throughout this journey, one thing has become increasingly clear to her: If you want to lift a society up, you need to stop keeping women down. In this moving and compelling book, Melinda shares lessons she's learned from the inspiring people she's met during her work and travels around the world. As she writes in the introduction, "That is why I had to write this bookâ??to share the stories of people who have given focus and urgency to my life. I want all of us to see ways we can lift women up where we live." Melinda's unforgettable narrative is backed by startling data as she presents the issues that most need our attentionâ??from child marriage to lack of access to contraceptives to gender inequity in the workplace. And, for the first time, she writes about her personal life and the road to equality in her own marriage. Throughout, she shows how there has never been more opportunity to change the worldâ??and ourselves. Writing with emotion, candor, and grace, she introduces us to remarkable women and shows the power of connecting with one another. When we lift others up, the… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member sparemethecensor
Good primer. Yes -- if you are already familiar with these issues, you will not be surprised. But sadly, even in 2019, lots of people don't know these things, yet.
LibraryThing member bookworm148
I went into this book with the idea that it would be your typical feminist book that talks about empowering yourself, but was pleasantly surprised. The Moment of Lift is about meeting the need of women around the world and how to successfully accomplish that. Melinda isn’t on a high horse telling
Often, when organizations work with people from other countries, I see them try to “correct” things without any attempts at understanding that cultures motivations. I appreciated what Melinda said about not telling a culture that their practices and traditions are wrong. It is more important to understand why they do what they do and address the deeper issue. You won’t create change by alienating everyone by telling them they are wrong. Melinda includes many stories that demonstrate how beneficial it is to take a step back and listen to what the people you’re working with actually needs.
My favorite story in this book was about the community that came together to banish Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). Rather than walking in to this community, the Gates foundation had local midwives talk to their communities about the health risks and then they listened to the counter argument from the community members. As it turns out, traditions are not always easy to break and are usually much more complicated than outsiders might think.
Though there are stories in this book that are hard to hear about because of their violent nature, but I am glad she included them because those stories deserve to be heard.
If you’re looking for a book that will offer insight to issues that women face around the world (that are often glossed over or completely ignored in the news), this is the book for you. It may also give you a new lens to look at your own community with.
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everyone that they’re wrong and that the only way we can fix things is her way. She opens the dialogue to everyone about their needs and how their foundation can help them meet those needs. In the book, it feels like Melinda wants her readers to understand that there are many ways of lifting women up, and that the only ones who truly understand what they need are the women she is trying to help. Listening to their stories is a huge part of this book.Often, when organizations work with people from other countries, I see them try to “correct” things without any attempts at understanding that cultures motivations. I appreciated what Melinda said about not telling a culture that their practices and traditions are wrong. It is more important to understand why they do what they do and address the deeper issue. You won’t create change by alienating everyone by telling them they are wrong. Melinda includes many stories that demonstrate how beneficial it is to take a step back and listen to what the people you’re working with actually needs.
My favorite story in this book was about the community that came together to banish Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). Rather than walking in to this community, the Gates foundation had local midwives talk to their communities about the health risks and then they listened to the counter argument from the community members. As it turns out, traditions are not always easy to break and are usually much more complicated than outsiders might think.
Though there are stories in this book that are hard to hear about because of their violent nature, but I am glad she included them because those stories deserve to be heard.
If you’re looking for a book that will offer insight to issues that women face around the world (that are often glossed over or completely ignored in the news), this is the book for you. It may also give you a new lens to look at your own community with.
Show Less
LibraryThing member jepeters333
A debut from Melinda Gates, a timely and necessary call to action for women's empowerment.
“How can we summon a moment of lift for human beings – and especially for women? Because when you lift up women, you lift up humanity.”
For the last twenty years, Melinda Gates has been on a mission to
In this moving and compelling book, Melinda shares lessons she’s learned from the inspiring people she’s met during her work and travels around the world. As she writes in the introduction, “That is why I had to write this book―to share the stories of people who have given focus and urgency to my life. I want all of us to see ways we can lift women up where we live.”
Melinda’s unforgettable narrative is backed by startling data as she presents the issues that most need our attention―from child marriage to lack of access to contraceptives to gender inequity in the workplace. And, for the first time, she writes about her personal life and the road to equality in her own marriage. Throughout, she shows how there has never been more opportunity to change the world―and ourselves.
Writing with emotion, candor, and grace, she introduces us to remarkable women and shows the power of connecting with one another.
When we lift others up, they lift us up, too.
“How can we summon a moment of lift for human beings – and especially for women? Because when you lift up women, you lift up humanity.”
For the last twenty years, Melinda Gates has been on a mission to
Show More
find solutions for people with the most urgent needs, wherever they live. Throughout this journey, one thing has become increasingly clear to her: If you want to lift a society up, you need to stop keeping women down.In this moving and compelling book, Melinda shares lessons she’s learned from the inspiring people she’s met during her work and travels around the world. As she writes in the introduction, “That is why I had to write this book―to share the stories of people who have given focus and urgency to my life. I want all of us to see ways we can lift women up where we live.”
Melinda’s unforgettable narrative is backed by startling data as she presents the issues that most need our attention―from child marriage to lack of access to contraceptives to gender inequity in the workplace. And, for the first time, she writes about her personal life and the road to equality in her own marriage. Throughout, she shows how there has never been more opportunity to change the world―and ourselves.
Writing with emotion, candor, and grace, she introduces us to remarkable women and shows the power of connecting with one another.
When we lift others up, they lift us up, too.
Show Less
LibraryThing member bblum
Thoughtful reflections by billionaire Melinda Gates about her recognition of the importance of supporting women in all walks of life especially those on the fringes. Interesting stories of her life and philanthropies all with the theme of the necessity of bring parity between men and women.
LibraryThing member krazy4katz
An inspiring view of how Melinda Gates, head of the Gates Foundation, is managing to make a real difference in women's lives in poor countries. She did this, not just by throwing money at the problem, but by visiting the women in their homes and finding out what they really wanted and what was the
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best way to solve their problems. She used or set up local groups to carry out the programs, so that they were more likely to be successful. At the end, she talks about harassment and devaluation of women in this country too. An excellent, well-written book from someone who has lived and worked at all levels of society. Highly recommended! Show Less
LibraryThing member cougargirl1967
A eye opening and heartfelt look across the globe and the multitude of ways we can make this world a better place.
LibraryThing member jmoncton
I have to say that I was skeptical about this book. Melinda Gates is famous because, well, she's married to Bill Gates and in my mind that didn't really make her qualified to speak about the issues that women face around the world.
I was wrong. This book is really about stories of her own life, not
I was wrong. This book is really about stories of her own life, not
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only working as a woman at Microsoft, in a predominantly male-dominated business, but mostly what she has seen through her work with the Gates Foundation. The stories are powerful and moving and she tells them with humility, wisdom and tremendous empathy. The plight of women in parts of this world is horrifying and some of these stories will bring you to tears. But this book will also inspire you and, yes, lift you up with the hope that there are better times to come for women and all people in the world. Show Less
LibraryThing member strandbooks
Last week I praised a book that criticized billionaires and now I’m praising a book written by one of the biggest billionaires. Bill Gates did give a blurb for Winners Take All so in that regards it isn’t like this is by Bezos’ ex-wife.
The Moment of Lift is a quick read. Melinda Gates
The Moment of Lift is a quick read. Melinda Gates
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explains how their foundation started with no specific focus on gender equality, but soon realized how most of the problems they were trying to solve required women being involved. She tells stories about family planning projects in Africa, farming in Asia, women in tech in the US, girls education in Mexico, sex workers in India...many are heartbreaking but most have reasons to be optimistic. Melinda spends a chapter outlining why “billionaires solving problems” is problematic, peeks into her and Bill’s relationship, and her difficult fights with the Catholic Church. She comes from a devout family. Show Less
LibraryThing member kaminsensical
I had high hopes for this book because I've been following the Gates Foundation and I know they do meaningful work. To be honest, the first few chapters turned me off because of the writing style - pedestrian at best. I was kind of embarrassed for Mrs. Gates. But then she started sharing her
“It’s the sign of a backward society—or a society moving backward—when decision are made for women by men.”
I started seeing that we all hold the power to enact change in our world, and I'm glad some people have lots of money to make it happen a little faster. She is an inspiration.
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personal stories of adventures around the world and how they are representative of the way things are done in other countries. Not really a lot of new information for me, but her insights are raw and palpable. “It’s the sign of a backward society—or a society moving backward—when decision are made for women by men.”
I started seeing that we all hold the power to enact change in our world, and I'm glad some people have lots of money to make it happen a little faster. She is an inspiration.
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LibraryThing member Iudita
Melinda Gates talks about some of the work that is being done around the world to strengthen women's positions and therefore adding stability and prosperity to their communities. There is lots of great information in this book but it is a bit more fundamental than I was hoping for. I was expecting
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something a bit more in depth and was just a bit disappointed. It is still a high interest read if the subject appeals to you and I would recommend it. Show Less
LibraryThing member billsearth
First, I give this a 4.5 instead of a 5 because her actions are not as stated in the book when she gave the leader of India an award recently.
Throughout the book she points at him and his party as promoting bias against women's rights, what she is fighting for.
Other than that, the book is a good
Certain paragraphs are very uplifting and dramatic.An example is the "I want a teacher" episode from pages 89 to 92 in the hardbound version.
The conclusion is well written, however it extends through the epilogue, so might be partially missed by the reader not expecting this to dribble on into that part.
In summary this is a motivating detailed account of how to start and focus your priorities to have the most affect in a philanthropic effort. It is also interesting since it is true and includes many memorable individuals, striving for a better life and better world.
Throughout the book she points at him and his party as promoting bias against women's rights, what she is fighting for.
Other than that, the book is a good
Show More
and detailed description of how the Gates Foundation zeroed in on how best to help poor people globally.Certain paragraphs are very uplifting and dramatic.An example is the "I want a teacher" episode from pages 89 to 92 in the hardbound version.
The conclusion is well written, however it extends through the epilogue, so might be partially missed by the reader not expecting this to dribble on into that part.
In summary this is a motivating detailed account of how to start and focus your priorities to have the most affect in a philanthropic effort. It is also interesting since it is true and includes many memorable individuals, striving for a better life and better world.
Show Less
LibraryThing member dolly22
Brilliant concept which should be applauded but the presentation was too preachy for my taste
LibraryThing member MaggieFlo
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It is an extremely uplifting narrative where Gates provides many examples of women at the margins of society are empowered to seek equality and respect. Gates and her husband Bill started their foundation over 20 years ago. The primary goals are to enhance health
The book is partly biographical as Gates talks about her upbringing in Dallas Texas with parents who provided her with examples of equality, respect and pride. Her Catholic upbringing affects her morality regarding helping others but she does not spare criticism of the Church nor its stand on family planning or on allowing women priests. Her view is that any religion that is dominated or led by men does not believe that women who are lifted up are better off.
The many stories in the book deal with poor, illiterate, abused women and girls in the developing world. Her foundation works with locals who are well aware of the family situations, roadblocks and impediments that hold them back.
When a problem is identified, such as cutting girls, the team approach is to understand the issue completely by engaging the whole community in talking about the tradition, the purpose and the outcomes. The practice is ancient and has no apparent reason other than to keep girls chaste until marriage. A village in Senegal decided to abolish the practice once infections, pain, rationale were identified. The team was able to do this by engaging one or two women of influence and they in turn urged the end of the practice in their village and others.
This method is used in all of the programs the foundation supports such as education for girls, family planning, banking, sexual and physical abuse, female farmers, AIDS prevention, sex workers. Listening to the women and empowering them is a huge boost to their personal potential and their influence on their families.
Show More
care, reduce poverty and improve education in the developing world. Gates’ focus in this book is applying those goals to women and girls. Her philosophy is simple, if you lift up women, you lift up their families and their communities.The book is partly biographical as Gates talks about her upbringing in Dallas Texas with parents who provided her with examples of equality, respect and pride. Her Catholic upbringing affects her morality regarding helping others but she does not spare criticism of the Church nor its stand on family planning or on allowing women priests. Her view is that any religion that is dominated or led by men does not believe that women who are lifted up are better off.
The many stories in the book deal with poor, illiterate, abused women and girls in the developing world. Her foundation works with locals who are well aware of the family situations, roadblocks and impediments that hold them back.
When a problem is identified, such as cutting girls, the team approach is to understand the issue completely by engaging the whole community in talking about the tradition, the purpose and the outcomes. The practice is ancient and has no apparent reason other than to keep girls chaste until marriage. A village in Senegal decided to abolish the practice once infections, pain, rationale were identified. The team was able to do this by engaging one or two women of influence and they in turn urged the end of the practice in their village and others.
This method is used in all of the programs the foundation supports such as education for girls, family planning, banking, sexual and physical abuse, female farmers, AIDS prevention, sex workers. Listening to the women and empowering them is a huge boost to their personal potential and their influence on their families.
Show Less
LibraryThing member Citizenjoyce
This book is half an amazing story of the power of feminism philanthropy and half a Mickey Rooney - Judy Garland film. Hey kids, if we work together we can put on the play ourselves! Melinda Gates was born into a Catholic family with a homemaker mother and an aerospace engineer father. He always
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emphasized the importance of involving women in science. Melinda has an abundance of both self-confidence and competence and she is able to look at problems and assume she will be able to find solutions. Voila, she does. One feel-good accomplishment came when they were working to promote family planning in India. They wanted to find a way to encourage condom use among sex workers. When they met with groups of sex workers they found that the main problem the workers wanted to be solved was violence against them. If they tried to get their customers to use condoms they'd get beaten. They couldn't rely on the men to bring condoms, and if they kept condoms on themselves they would be stopped by police and raped and beaten by them because they assumed any woman carrying condoms was a sex worker so that's what she deserved. They instituted a system in which women could call a certain number and a group of women would rush to them to support them. It was so effective that often they could stop both police brutality and brutality by customers and this part of India showed a marked decrease in the spread of HIV. Bill and Melinda called the man they had left in charge of this project and were surprised to find that he had used some of his allotted money to establish places where workers could get together, drink tea and discuss. They'd had no intention of establishing tea rooms, but they knew enough to leave the money with people in the area who could see what was needed, and a way for women to communicate with each other is just what they needed. Confidence, competence and money go a long way. Surprisingly Melinda is still strongly Catholic, but she sees that having men in charge of women's bodies and supposedly celibate men giving advice on marriage and family is both ridiculous and unhelpful. She has no problem being both religious and strongly supportive of women's rights to their own lives and bodies. Show Less
LibraryThing member brakketh
I appreciate the work that the Gate's Foundation does for the world and enjoyed the opportunity to read more about Melinda Gate's role in the organisation and view of the world.
LibraryThing member Salsabrarian
Melinda French Gates strongly makes the case that women who are treated equally and have access to equal opportunities, not only uplifts the women but society as a whole. Thanks to the the work and research of the Gates Foundation in places such as Africa and India, Melinda addresses the main
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topics of inequality and provides examples of how they can be addressed: family planning, work inequality, child marriage, access to contraceptives, and more. It's a compelling argument all around and an inspirational call to action. Show Less
LibraryThing member stevesbookstuff
The Moment of Lift is a memoir of sorts, as well as an enlightening account showing the benefits to the mission of solving some of the world's large problems - hunger, poverty and pandemic among them - to be gained by empowering women.
Melinda Gates relates through a number of stories how she and
Also interesting were the stories she relates of how within the Foundation there was pushback at first to the notion that "empowering women" was somehow a goal of the organization. You would expect that any organization with Bill Gates' name in it would be data driven, and it's interesting to read how listening well to the people in need (i.e. gathering data) really reinforced the centrality of empowering women to the goals they had set for themselves.
You will definitely be inspired by this book, but it is really a memoir. Meaning that Melinda doesn't attempt to layout tools for you to use, or specific needs for change that you can act on yourself. (She does discuss some of the problem areas in American life / work that need to be addressed.) Fortunately, if you Google "how to empower the women in your life" there are many suggestions you'll find, and after reading this book you'll likely be inspired to try some.
Melinda Gates relates through a number of stories how she and
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the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation grew in understanding of the importance of empowering women. For Melinda, the stories are personal and one on one, and include experiences in her professional life before helping to lead the Foundation as well as her personal encounters with women who are experiencing some of the problems the Foundation seeks to help address. There are many touching moments to these stories that will leave you inspired.Also interesting were the stories she relates of how within the Foundation there was pushback at first to the notion that "empowering women" was somehow a goal of the organization. You would expect that any organization with Bill Gates' name in it would be data driven, and it's interesting to read how listening well to the people in need (i.e. gathering data) really reinforced the centrality of empowering women to the goals they had set for themselves.
You will definitely be inspired by this book, but it is really a memoir. Meaning that Melinda doesn't attempt to layout tools for you to use, or specific needs for change that you can act on yourself. (She does discuss some of the problem areas in American life / work that need to be addressed.) Fortunately, if you Google "how to empower the women in your life" there are many suggestions you'll find, and after reading this book you'll likely be inspired to try some.
Show Less
LibraryThing member jlford3
Best book I've read this year.
LibraryThing member Jacsun
For a long time, I didn't read this book thinking it was just about their charity work. But I heard Melinda Gates interviewed by David Letterman on Netflix and was intrigued. It was an amazing, inspirational nonfiction about her personal life and how she has worked to bring women's rights to the
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forefront. It tugs you at your heart and I only wish all women were as equal as men in not only this country but all places around the world. Show Less
LibraryThing member MarthaJeanne
Melinda Gates writes with passion and empathy about her experiences with women around the world.
Awards
Pages
288
ISBN
1250313570 / 9781250313577