• The Moment of Lift

  • How Empowering Women Changes the World
  • By: Melinda Gates
  • Narrated by: Melinda Gates
  • Length: 8 hrs and 9 mins
  • 4.8 out of 5 stars (5,846 ratings)

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The Moment of Lift  By  cover art

The Moment of Lift

By: Melinda Gates
Narrated by: Melinda Gates
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Publisher's summary

One of AudioFile magazine's Best Audiobooks of 2019

New York Times best seller

Now with a new afterword!

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.

For the last 20 years, Melinda Gates has been on a mission to find solutions for people with the most urgent needs, wherever they live. Throughout this journey, one thing has become increasingly clear to her: If you want to lift society up, you need to stop keeping women down.

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

Writing with emotion, candor, and grace, she introduces us to remarkable women and shows the power of connecting with one another.

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

A Macmillan Audio production from Flatiron Books

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, PhD, author of the New York Times number one best seller Dare to Lead)

“Melinda Gates has spent many years working with women around the world. This book 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' book is a lesson in listening. A powerful, poignant, and ultimately humble call to arms.” (Tara Westover, author of the New York Times number one best seller Educated)

©2019 Melinda Gates (P)2019 Macmillan Audio

Featured Article: 50+ Outstanding Feminist Quotes to Inspire and Empower


From the suffragettes of the 18th and 19th centuries to the #MeToo activists and glass-ceiling breakers still fighting for equality today, the feminist movement has evolved around the world for hundreds of years. Feminism that is intersectional and inclusive is more important than ever, with activists amplifying the voices of women whose struggles are compounded further by their race, identity, and class. Learn about gender equality with these quotes.

What listeners say about The Moment of Lift

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Phenomenal Book, Absolute Gem

This is one of the best books I have listened to in a year. The stories, the passion, struggles and emotions just ooze from Melinda Gates' narration.

This is one of those common sense reads that brings to light the struggles of the bottom portion of our civilization as well as the top. The deep humility and dedication to action paints such a wonderful contrast of one of the planet's most gifted people.

This is not some #MeToo type narrative...this is a logical look at the world and the deep struggles we face as humanity. It is well-written and narrated impeccably. Cannot say enough good things. Get it, read it. Superior.

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42 people found this helpful

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A Metaphor for Moving Mountains

From the first word spoken I knew it was rock solid with an ease of listening that's lighter than air. There's nothing better than an author reading her own first book with passion and conviction. Empowering women changes the world, there is no doubt about it. I want all my attendees of Confident Women Consortium to get copies of Melinda's work! I'm on board with supporting Melinda who supports women who support women who help people live their best, most fulfilling lives. ~Joyce Strong, Master Transformative and Nutritional Behavior Coach

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25 people found this helpful

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Inspiring

Melinda recognizes her privilege but that doesn’t stop her from recognizing and doing something about other people’s needs. She’s inspiring but the women who inspire her are the true heroines of the book. Great read

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15 people found this helpful

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Inspiring and Motivating

This book is amazing. As a woman in the agricultural sciences who was drawn to my work as an outgrowth of my spiritual life, this book resonates with me deeply. She includes research, personal stories and a greater vision. I am inspired and motivated.

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15 people found this helpful

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women empowerment - beyond the buzz words

Women empowerment has become somewhat a buzz word/phrase. As a woman, I hate the phrase women empowerment and how brands try to tap into this trend and ride the wave. To me, very few marketing campaigns, very few articles have captured the true nature of what for a woman, women empowerment really means. If anything, all these efforts almost make me feel like by trying to 'include' women, women are being separated even more.

The moment of lift has really captured what it means, what is being done by The Gates foundation and it is honestly remarkably beautiful. This is the only book anyone needs to read to understand what empowerment, general empowerment not just of women means. I love that Melinda says that empowering alone is not enough, there needs to be a connection too.

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9 people found this helpful

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Wonderful inspirational and empowering story.

I highly recommend this audio book. I will read it again and again to remind me of what us possible when women are empowered.

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7 people found this helpful

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Love and Light

Wonderful stories of the importance of diversity, inclusion and belonging to lift humanity.
Love and Light!

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6 people found this helpful

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Another glaring view of gender gaps and the impact on society

This was a book with several great stories outlining not just gender gaps but why having women included brings meaningful change. Gathering ideals for change by going directly to the users/people impacted helps redefine solutions. This isn’t a book for us against them but it highlights how we need to interact as men and women together to create a more meaningful society. If we stay on our own sides it solves nothing.

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5 people found this helpful

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A window in the lives of those who defy all odds

Not to sound cliche - but this is so incredibly moving. An amazing woman who details the life of amazing people across the world.

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Female empowerment with a yawn

Was hoping to find inspiration or guidance in this book from such a prominent woman but truthfully I struggled to keep reading it, if you are into listening to Melinda’s time in Africa And the social issues that surround it like female mutilation this ones for you. I could barely keep listening. I finished it hoping I would learn more from it, but kinda wish I just put it down when I originally wanted to. Little bit of female empowerment but only if you in deep in the tech world.

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4 people found this helpful