The Moment of Lift

How Empowering Women Changes the World

By: Melinda French Gates

Narrated by: Melinda French Gates

'We need this message more than ever' – Malala Yousafzai

The right to:
Spend your own money. Go to school. Earn an income. Access contraceptives. Work outside the home. Walk outside the home. Choose whom to marry. Get a loan. Start a business. Own property. Divorce a husband. See a doctor. Drive a car.
All of these rights are denied to women in some parts of the world.

A Sunday Times bestselling 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.'

In this moving and compelling book, Melinda shares the stories of the inspiring people she’s met during her work and travels around the world and the lessons she’s learned from them. 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.

When we lift others up, they lift us up, too.

This audiobook now includes a new afterword.

Critic reviews

Melinda Gates has spent many years working with women around the world. This book charts her own evolution as a feminist and celebrates the stories of others who inspired her on her journey. It 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. (Malala Yousafzai)

Melinda Gates's book is a lesson in listening. A powerful, poignant, and ultimately humble call to arms. (Tara Westover, author of Educated)

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. (Brené Brown, Ph.D., author of New York Times #1 bestseller Dare to Lead)

This book is a beautiful and concise mission statement on what we need to do to move society forward- continue to empower women. At every level and in all places women are truly the bedrock supporting their communities. (Trevor Noah)

For the past two decades, Melinda Gates has been a force, and an increasingly forceful voice, in global health. Yet The Moment of Lift is a book about gender equity and its golden thread is empathy. This book lifts up the voices of women and girls whose experiences have been entirely unlike Melinda’s own. They’ve taught her a great deal, and in this beautifully crafted and artful memoir, Melinda Gates invites the reader to learn from them too. (Paul Farmer, MD, Kolokotrones University Professor, Harvard Medical School Co-Founder, Partners In Health)

The Moment of Lift reveals painful truths about women living in the most vulnerable areas of the world. Melinda Gates uplifts and inspires by weaving a narrative of fortitude and hope. She pushes us to challenge the status quo and never settle. (Mellody Hobson)

An inspirational look at the need to empower women to make change in the world. (Washington Post)

I think this is one of the best books I've ever read. (Warren Buffett)

A moral appeal, imploring each of us who reads it to look around - at our own families, our own workplaces, our own place in a gigantic, but highly connected, world - and get to work making it more equal. (Chicago Tribune)

Gates is the feminist we all need; she has studied how broadening women's rights also raises their earning potential, which contributes to national development. Listeners will revel in the personal details of her own awakening to how childbearing and poor maternal health are the major limitations facing women worldwide. Speaking in a firm tone, Gates does not let herself off the hook for the years it took her to come to this realization.

The moment of lift

Such an emotional read but so inspiring at the same time. Loved the book!

Eye Opening!

Wow. What a great book it is! Came at a time when I've been witnessing how amazing my wife/mother of our new born is. Not that I've never respected women, but the amount of love, dedication she has put into raising our beloved son is second to none, and makes me honor women deeply. Reading this book and seeing my wife take care of our son makes me realise how much women aren't appreciated enough. This book has ignited in me the hunger and the desire to stand up for women and everyone marginalized. Thanks to my wife and Melinda for opening my eyes.

Absolutely inspiring!

An intense listen, that surpased my expectations. It is written well the logic and layout was well thought through.

Inspiring, eye opening and heart breaking

I could’ve listened to another 70 hours of this book. Thank you for letting us feel you and the heroes of your stories. Truly heart warming. Please, keep going on with your mission and keep writing.

A book that will forever change you.

What an incredible story. It will change you from the inside. Thank you Melinda Gates