“Afghan women have been held in the dark for so long and, during the darkest years, they suffered more than even I can imagine. They need the rest of the world to look, watch, and make sure nothing puts out that light again”
Deborah Rodriguez arrived in Afghanistan in 2002 with nothing but a desire to help and a beauty degree. In her first few weeks she learned that the once proud tradition of Afghan beauty salons had been all but destroyed by the Taliban.
With her knowledge of both beauty and enterprise, Rodriguez opened the first salon in Kabul that actually trained local women to become beauticians - one of the few ways in which a woman could support herself and her family, and gain some autonomy in a strictly patriarchal society.
Many of the students had alarming stories to tell, and within the sisterhood of the Kabul Beauty School, together with Rodriguez herself, they learn the art of perms, friendship and freedom.
When I started reading this book I didn’t realize it was a memoir, but this only pulled me further in to the story even more.
The first chapter sets a scene during the traditional preparations of an Afghan bride, which then jumps back in time to follow the highly emotional, impulsive and sympathetic Rodriguez as she struggles against financial and cultural odds to eventually set up the Kabul Beauty School.
The women in this story are real and strong and make me realise how lucky we are to have the opportunities we do in developed countries.
This book is a must read for any woman.
Deborah Rodriguez arrived in Afghanistan in 2002 with nothing but a desire to help and a beauty degree. In her first few weeks she learned that the once proud tradition of Afghan beauty salons had been all but destroyed by the Taliban.
With her knowledge of both beauty and enterprise, Rodriguez opened the first salon in Kabul that actually trained local women to become beauticians - one of the few ways in which a woman could support herself and her family, and gain some autonomy in a strictly patriarchal society.
Many of the students had alarming stories to tell, and within the sisterhood of the Kabul Beauty School, together with Rodriguez herself, they learn the art of perms, friendship and freedom.
When I started reading this book I didn’t realize it was a memoir, but this only pulled me further in to the story even more.
The first chapter sets a scene during the traditional preparations of an Afghan bride, which then jumps back in time to follow the highly emotional, impulsive and sympathetic Rodriguez as she struggles against financial and cultural odds to eventually set up the Kabul Beauty School.
The women in this story are real and strong and make me realise how lucky we are to have the opportunities we do in developed countries.
This book is a must read for any woman.
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