Women have always needed a voice, not because theirs’ is not loud enough, but because collectively, it echos louder and has an undeniable effect. Melinda has always believed that in order to lift a society, investing in women is pertinent.

I read Michelle’s book in the year it was first released. I recall friends and family who would never bother to read such voluminous books, painstakingly turning each leaf, taking in every word Michelle penned like she was specifically speaking to them.

Self-help and self-improvement can be a bit of a hamster wheel. That’s to say, it’s easy to get trapped in the idea of improving your life without doing it because we’re too busy reading “How to” books.

This is arguably one of the best and most insightful books I have ever read in my entire life and I cannot at this moment count the number of copies I have shared.

In 2019, I became very intentional about rising in my career, and most especially knowing how I could achieve that, successfully. I got my hands on How Women Rise by Sally Helgesen and Marshall Goldsmith and I think that was what I needed. Sally and Marshall did a fantastic job at identifying challenges impeding women’s advancement in their various careers.

While you rise in your career, it is almost inevitable that you will hold a leadership position.  It is therefore pertinent to prepare early in the best manner, by observing, learning and reading about women who have led or are leading in various capacities.  

Arese Ugwu’s ‘‘The Smart Money Woman”  is an intriguing book that open our minds to financial literacy; a complex concept rarely spoken about in a typical African home and speficifally, among women. Here, Arese gives an African perspective on money management.

In the month of March, Women’s Month, I was intentional about reading specific books centered on female-related issues, authored by either gender. One of my selections was the afore-photographed book, “13 Things Mentally Strong Women Don’t Do” by Amy Morin.