Purchased at the Benjamin Library book sale.

In 2002, just months after the fall of the Taliban, Rodriguez went to Afghanistan as an aid worker and soon discovered that her talents as a hairdresser could be used in a more meaningful way. In the midst of political turmoil and financial problems, she set up a beauty school, hoping to give Afghan women independence, security and dignity.

Written in a chatty style with lots of warmth and humor, Debbie’s experiences reinforced my thoughts about the abusive treatment of women in a Muslim society. The question remains, can outsiders change the struggles of women in the Middle East or must change come from within?

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

Sent to booklady331 in Florida via media mail - - a winner in my 6th Bookcrossing Anniversary RABCK drawing. Enjoy!

THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!! The book arrived yesterday. I am looking forward to reading the book. I will pass it on to another BCer after I read the book.

I have to agree with pinklady60. I have been upset not only with the way women are treated in Muslim societies, but with the way the women's organizations and the world in general has ignored the situation of these women. I think of how the free world united and together changed South Africa. Why can't they do this for the women?

I love how the beauty school gave some freedom to a few women, but I was concerned about Debbie's sons who were left without a mother, her "marrying" a married Afgan man, and how she put herself in dangerous situations. I guess some people need to do that in order to change the world.

I am starting an international bookray to keep this book moving.

A. Journal when you receive the book
B. PM the next person on the list, so you have the address
C. Read within a month
D. Journal again when you send the book on its travels.

list:
1. collectorkerri (IL) -- DONE
2. valpete (CA) --------- DONE
3. wildflower37 (NJ)----- DONE
4. Icila (France)-------- DONE

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Enjoy! Starting it's new journey to KTM. The last person of the ray gets to decide what to do next with the book. Enjoy everyone.

Received today. Will read ASAP.

Like other readers, I was horrified at some of the things that happened to the women in this book, often at the hands of their own families. I applaud Deborah Rodriguez by taking her talents and applying them in a very unique way to help the women of Afghanistan gain some measure of independence.

The one thing I really didn't like was Debbie's marriage to an Afghan man. I guess she's one of those people who constantly make bad choices in love, with two previous marriages and divorces in the US, but the way she married her Afghan husband so quickly and seemingly without much thought bothered me.

I hope the Kabul Beauty School is able to reopen and continue with its mission soon. It would be a shame if this valuable enterprise were to languish.

Off to valpete in California for the next leg of its journey.

Thanks for sending this. I will get to it as soon as possible. I'm behind on my Rays/Rings. Reading "Her Fearful Symmetry" now and have a few waiting.

Edited 3/20/10 - sorry for having this so long. I'm sending it to the next person on the list, since I won't be able to get to it for a month or so.

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

Sending this along to Wildflower37. Enjoy!

Just received from Valpete. Will place on top of TBR pile and hope to get to it ASAP.

What an amazing story! My sister lives in Florida and just opened her own beauty salon and I can see how strong and independent she has become in the process. Reading this story is a wonderful opening into the lives of women --- both the hardships and the beauty --- and the univeral ways in which women come together to support and celebrate each other. I admire the author's independent spirit and willingness to brave traditions and cultural taboos in order to help others.

Thank you for sharing this wonderful book. I just ordered a copy to send to my sister in honor of her big step.

I plan to send to Icila in the next few days. Thank you again booklady331 for making this available.

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

Sending to Icila in France. Hope it doesn't take too long to get there!
Enjoy...

Back from holiday in Spain, the book was waiting safely at home among 3 other rings.
I look forward to reading it but, being the last on this ray I'll read it after the others.
Thanks wildflower37, (the journey wasn't too long, you see...)

The better way to get a job anywhere in the world is to learn hairdressing, I knew it !

I really appreciate the book. I had the opportunity to visit women in Yemen and they live the same way. Poor things in the street under the abayas but smart in the house.
My daughter had a threading and I was there. It hurts but how beautiful !

I still don't know if Debbie really did a great job, perhaps for a few of the women. Difficult to interfere in a completly different culture with so many misunderstandings.

Sent it to next person on Ray.

The book is still with me, I don't know how valpete made an entry on it.
Reserved for Vekiki's Non-fiction VBB.

En route to a family friend.