Dear Ijeawele, or A Feminist Manifesto in Fifteen Suggestions

This is a slender volume; however, even as such, it is not to be discounted. This is a valuable book by a thoughtful, gifted writer. She responds to her friend’s question of how to raise a feminist. She writes of powerful women and society’s reaction to and treatment of them. She writes of how we train girls to be likable or “nice.” She tells her to admire women. This will model how we can support one another rather than compete. This is a fine book and would be welcome for any mother of girls. The author is Nigerian-born and educated in the United States. She writes poetry and novels and teaches writing workshops in Nigeria. Her writing is clear and direct. She is the recipient of a MacArthur Fellowship and she lives between her two homes.

Even though there are only fifteen suggestions in this book, it is full of wisdom and humor. It is a wonderful gift for any woman and any man who appreciates and supports women’s empowerment.