Customer Reviews

Meena, Heroine of Afghanistan: The Martyr Who Founded RAWA, the Revolutionary Association of the Women of Afghanistan

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I don't think I have ever read a book as moving as the story of Meena and her life and formation of the feminist group RAWA, (Revolutionary Association for the women of Afghanistan.

This very young woman did so much, risking her life daily to change the face of war torn Afghanistan. Even after her young unexpected death, her mission of hope for a better future in Afghanistan lives on today. Her dream was that one day her beloved country would be in peace and that men and women could live equally. To this day, even after the destruction of the Taliban, Afghanistan and it's people suffer. When you read this book you will be amazed at how much this young woman accomplished in her life. It is unbelievable.

Many of us think of Afghanistan and muslims and we see the face of the enemy, Osama Bin Laden and the horrible Fundementalists that tore up their country. I think it should be required reading in the American schools and when we think of Afghanistan we should see the beautiful face of Meena, who believes in freedom, democracy and that everyone should be given a chance. I will never forget being touched by the life of Meena.

This book will open the eyes of any American to the suffering and poverty that women of Afghanistan have gone through for decades. It is the story of not one, but many courageous women and men and their ongoing effort to turn their country into a democracy.

This book is warm and enduring. It is eye-opening. It is a true human interest story. This is what reporters should be reporting on. Not Michael Jackson, or Martha Stewart or anything else.

I would read this book again and again and again if I had the time.

An incredible story about an incredible woman who has led many woman since in a quest for equality, justice and human rights in a country that has been war torn for 30+ years. Please read this book and follow the story of a true angel. One that worked to promote justice, fairness and liberty for her people in Afghanistan. The book is excellent, a quick and easy read. Feminists will not be disappointed. Every woman (and her daughter) should read this to be inspiried that the world belongs to them and they should not be dismayed by the circumstances they see and experience around them.

While I saw Oprah's show about RAWA and the plight of the women of Afghanistan and did NOTHING (oh, I gave a small donation) Melody Chavis saw the same show, raised the money, found an interpreter, got on a plane, flew to Kabul and FOUND Meena's many close associates and family...then flew home to write a compassionate, terse account of this brave Afghan woman's all too brief life.
As with all great achievers, Meena had a singular sense of mission from a very young age. In her thirty years of living she accomplished her goal of creating a cohesive network of women (and men) working to re-create civilized society in Afghanistan.
To do this Meena had to be a cross between James Bond and Mother Teresa. There's no doubt in my mind that she has,now, been canonized by God (Allah) as "Saint" Meena. From the nucleus of her first contact with another woman, outside her immediate family, to RAWA becoming an "in your face" worldwide force Meena/RAWA is proof of the adage "two and two and fifty make a million". Today this movement (Revolutionary Association of Women of Afghanistan) has hospitals, schools to educate children in concepts of equality and democracy as well as the three "R"'s, and programs for the countless widows/orphans of Afghanistan.
Meena's story, too, explains events of the past 35 years which have created today's volatile political climate. The Talaban did not spring to light from a vacuum. By reading this little gem you will finally "get it"! Your "how coulds" and "whys" are answered through Melody Chavis' non-wordy eloquence.

As an American woman with a strong desire to "know", as a retired teacher concerned for future generations...I strongly recommend reading MEENA for anyone over the age of 13 and would like to see it purchased by middle/high schools and colleges nationwide.

The Story of Meena is a remarkable one of love and dedication to the women of Afhanistan. Meena gave her all for them by creating a human rights movement that continues to this day. They are the USA's best defense against terrorism, teaching democracy and human rights to the many orphans of Afghanistan. Her life is one to be remembered and honored, and this book will give you insight into the difficulities the Afghani people have gone through, and the strength of women we don't hear about on the news. A must read indeed.

I also feel it was beautifully written and it is a book you won't want to put down.

All the profits go to the many orphanages they have established to teach love compassion and democracy to the future people, the children.

In response o a review critizing the simplistic and "saccrinine" account of a martyer's life. ... Gandhi or Lincoln or ML King all had less than perfect lives, all the more human. But to stand UP, and be one to bear the hopes of, and the brunt of punishment of, an entire class of oppressed , demands that accounts be written to inspire, rather than demean. And further oppression those who do not have a voice ( as do professional reviewers ) is all the less to be tolerated.
because of these accounts.

Just an opinion

Many thanks to Melody Ermachild Chavis for a compelling story of a truely remarkable woman. Like many American women I first learned of the struggles of Afgan women from Oprah, then from CNN. But no one has captured and personalized the horrors, friendships, oppressions and dreams of Afgan women as well as Ms. Chavis has by telling Meena's story. People can not truely "know" what is happening to women in Afganastan or other parts of the world through 30 second sound bites or one hour TV specials - someone has to fully tell their stories. So thank you for telling Meena's so well. Read it!!

This book was the first time I'd heard of Meena and RAWA. I feel that between its pages, I found and then lost a true heroine. The book is easy to read and tells of the tremendous struggles, sacrifice, courage, and generosity of Meena and the other members of RAWA. It also puts everything in historical context. It could easily be read by a young teen and it should be.

This book makes its readers aware in detail of the misery and injustice that is being born by so many. It tells of the struggle within each and every day of their lives. This cause must be the next "Tibet". Please read the book. Inform yourself and then go to the RAWA website and do what you can to help.

This book takes you on a journey through the struggles, terrors, and triumphs that Meena and RAWA have gone through. In just under 300 pages you are given an amazing prospective of Meena's life, courage, and beliefs. I truly believe this book could be a key point in demolishing ignorant wide spread opinions about the innocent people, especially women, in the Middle East in our countries time of crisis.

This gripping tale of a young woman's progress from idealistic student to the leader of a secret women's movement in Afghanistan should be required reading in all American high schools. Though Meena paid for her bravery with death, her heroism and courage are truly uplifting. The dramatic story is well narrated by Ermachild, who clearly has great empathy for her subject. I recommend this book highly, and not just for young adults; this story will touch any reader who can identify with the struggle for freedom and justice.