“My favourite book and the one that has had the greatest impact on my life and work is the childhood classic: The Little Red Hen. Both of my parents worked, so reading books with my mum and dad at bedtime created such important shared moments. They told me that when reading this particular book with them as a two year old, I would protest and correct them if they tried to change the words. They regularly remind me that my favourite statement from the book was: “I’ll do it all by myself”.  More often than not, I still do [it all by myself], especially if I think something is important and really needs to be done.

In the story, the little red hen asks her friends to help her make some bread. When they refuse, she does it herself, but doesn’t give up on them, suggesting they can help her the next time. Based on the principle that we reap what we sow, the importance of having a strong work ethic, personal initiative, grit and perseverance, I can’t think of another book that was more influential in setting me on my path. This story influenced a lot of my perspectives growing up. [It reinforced] the importance being inclusive, giving people second chances and the need for persistence— something you need in buckets working in the NGO sector. [It also taught me about] the importance of making time to read with our children. My husband and I rarely miss [the children’s] bedtime, to ensure we can also create special memories and teach new lessons through storytelling to our own children.”

– Catherine Gurtin, CEO, Pathfinders

“It was very stressful when I decided to step up as the executive director of Her Fund in 2018. I learned about transformative feminist leadership and [Her Fund] got funding to support grassroots organisations learning about this leadership. I read Feminist Leadership for Social Transformation: Clearing the Concept Cloud by Srilatha Batliwala again and again. While reading it, I did [some] self-reflection which helped me see things from different perspectives. It helped me to recognise my inner strength [and] my vulnerability. I understand why collective care is important to the sustainability of Her Fund and the ecosystem. It also led me to think of how to actualise the kind of leadership I believe in.

There are a few lessons that I took away from this publication. First, it helped me reflect on power. What does power mean to me? Am I afraid of using power? How can I share power with my colleagues? How can I introduce this dialogue within the organisation? Second, I learned how to support myself in thinking deeply about what kind of society I want to see. All these reflections led me to be more determined in my work to achieve gender equality and not be ashamed to ask for more resources to support the grassroots and marginalised community. Third, the book supported me to build my inner strength and also helped me reflect on the power relationship with my son. I am getting along with him differently. Finally, [it allowed me to] recognise that I am okay with not being okay.”

– Judy Kan, executive director, Her Fund

“A book that had a huge impact on my life was Chasing the Dragon: One Woman’s Struggle Against the Darkness of Hong Kong’s Drug Dens. I read this book in my final year when I studied law at the University College London. I was completely gripped by how this young woman found courage to stroll into the Kowloon Walled City and to live amongst drug addicts, triads and prostitutes—and how that helped transform their lives for the better. The idea that a woman with faith and purpose can live to see such amazing work and transformation inspired me. 

I remember my heart beating out of my chest. The ideas would just not leave me.  At the time I had to make decisions about my career and the book helped me find courage to get off the conveyor belt that I was on to become a lawyer in the commercial world. I ended up finding a position as a trainee lawyer in a small little firm in Wan Chai that served refugees and other marginalised groups. The rest is history.”

– Patricia Ho, founder, Hong Kong Dignity Institute

“This book chronicles the life of Franklin Delano Roosevelt and his wife Eleanor, primarily during World War II. The author is such a talented historian and storyteller, and she brings their marriage and partnership to life while recounting such pivotal events in American history.  It’s an appreciation of Goodwin’s talent as a writer and storytelling. You can have amazing characters, incredible events, but impact and influence are generally about how you weave it together. She has written a number of presidential biographies and I’ve enjoyed them all. It’s been awhile since I read it but my other takeaway was, of course, what a badass Eleanor was. Absolutely no-nonsense and determined—she broke so many barriers. She and Franklin had such different styles but I loved their underlying friendship and partnership. 

You can’t talk about Eleanor Roosevelt without thinking of one of her many famous quotes. One of my favourites is:  ‘Do one thing every day that scares you’. I am not so bold that I follow this advice religiously, but I do think about it when I’m wavering on something. We can talk ourselves out of so many things but sometimes you need to get a different, more inspiring, voice in your head. There is no greater buzz than stepping outside of your comfort zone.”

– Libby Alexander, CEO, Splash Fondation

“This is a book I read when I was very young. It is about an Indian girl who moved from Uganda to the UK. She was conflicted between the traditional Indian values she had at home and the values that she saw around her at her English school. The book is ultimately about her internal struggle to manage this conflict. As a teenage girl growing up in Hong Kong, I was in the same situation. I am Indian and I went to a predominantly white school. I always felt like I didn’t quite belong at home and didn’t quite belong at school. For me, this book showed me that there are others like me and that I’m not alone. When you’re young and there’s turbulence, it [feels] good to know that there are other people who feel the same way. This book validated the way I was feeling. It made me feel less guilty for feeling the way I did about my family and my values.” 

– Shalini Mahtani, founder, The Zubin Fondation

“One of my advisors introduced me to Tiny Habits by BJ Fogg, who’s the founder of Stanford’s Behaviour Design Lab. The book is about changing behaviours and how small changes can change everything. With my focus on women and wealth, this has quickly become my go-to book in supporting behavioural changes towards financial empowerment. Now, whether I’m discussing the transformation of women on their wealth journey individually or with organisations supporting women, I consistently refer back to this approach to assess if we have all the necessary elements to ensure behavioural change. I also enjoyed the author’s use of relatable case studies that served as a source of inspiration and motivation.

It's had a positive impact as it improved the clarity in my conversations with individual women and organisation, in particular, that change is possible and we can do that together. As the author explains, if we can stop judging ourselves, break down our aspirations into tiny behaviours and embrace mistakes to move forward, then anything is possible. Transformation can start today with one tiny step.” 

– Nicole Denholder, founder, Next Chapter Raise

NOW READ

Health apps have potential to empower women—are they doing the opposite?

Sex educator Sara Tang on multiple orgasms, women having the best sex ever, and defying social taboos

5 lingerie brands that offer support, style and a boost of confidence for the empowered woman you are