Background: I just finished reading Moment of Lift: How Empowering the Women Changes the World by Melinda Gates. Finishing the book, I wanted to find out what people can do to support the Gates Foundation since it seems to be making a great impact. Too, if the organization is good enough for Buffett to pledge his fortune to, I assume it’s good enough for me to support however I can. The first thing that comes to mind is sharing their work and Melinda’s book with my podcast audience so that a couple of listeners might be able to dedicate some real time and attention to it if they feel so drawn.
My takeaways from the book:
There are many, many examples of situations around the world where the capabilities of women are stifled, and this is especially pronounced in poorer countries. But that’s not what made this book interesting.
What Melinda Gates talks about that sticks with me is the mindset of her organization as it approaches making a difference in radically different environments. Specifically, she is aware of how many failures have resulted from aid organizations swooping in from on high, proclaiming the best way to do things, and leaving a mess in their wake.
What I noticed is that even in her own stories, she is not the star of the show; she is a learner and a helper. This seems essential, since she makes clear that the causes of poverty (and the plight of oppressed women) are often intertwined with cultural norms that are difficult to change, particularly from the outside. Yet, there are many instances where a nudge from the outside, or supporting a courageous local group can lead to profound changes culturally and economically.
Finishing the book, my first thought was, “I should write a check to the Gates Foundation!” I like their humble approach and feel like they have the right attitude about how to really improve lives in a lasting way. Wouldn’t it be incredible if someone born in rural India had the same opportunities as someone born in Portland? What if we could double the productivity (and income!) of the poorest 10% of the world’s population? Wouldn’t that expand opportunities and quality of life for everyone around the world? My next thought, though, was a little discouraging. And it was this, “Bill Gates is the guy who, for much of my life, was famous almost moreso for being rich than for creating Microsoft. Likewise Warren Buffett. And both these men have dedicated something like 99% of their fortunes to the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation. So is money what they really need?” Moreover, I don’t have capacity to take on any long-term work with the organization. So what I’d like to do instead is use my website and podcast to figure out what they need, and share that with the people in my life, so that if someone in my network has the capacity and the willingness to make that personal commitment to the Gates Foundation, some good can be done by someone.
Thank you,
Nicholas