All Rise
The Oprah Magazine|May 2019

MELINDA GATES is using her dollars—and her voice—to bring about a revolution of the heart. The first call to action, she tells Oprah, is that we must “break down the walls and walk through the doors together.”

Melinda Gates
All Rise

It’s impossible not to be impressed by the dedication mega-philanthropists Bill and Melinda Gates have shown in their efforts to eradicate inequality and the effects of poverty, but until I read The Moment of Lift (Flatiron)—Melinda Gates’s wake-up call in book form—I didn’t fully grasp the depth of their knowledge and their passion, not to mention what it took for Melinda to go from wife, mom, and concerned private citizen to one of the world’s leading advocates for female empowerment.

Many of the stories Melinda relates are about the people she’s met in her travels, and how “conversation accelerates change.” She says that learning to feel what others feel made her “see what they see.” She’s witnessed radical feats of resilience, kindness, and courage everywhere she’s gone. Still, for all the intimacy and inspiration the book delivers, it’s at times a sobering read. We learn that even today, more than 130 million girls don’t get to attend school. Complications during pregnancy and childbirth remain the leading causes of death among girls age 15 to 19. And while the number of people living in extreme poverty has declined, more than 700 million of us subsist on the equivalent of $1.90 per day. I had so many areas while reading The Moment of Lift, I had to get out my highlighter. Then I needed to sit down face-to face with the author and learn even more, which I did on a New York City stage earlier this year.

This story is from the May 2019 edition of The Oprah Magazine.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the May 2019 edition of The Oprah Magazine.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM THE OPRAH MAGAZINEView All
The Perfect Gift Book for Everyone on Your List
The Oprah US

The Perfect Gift Book for Everyone on Your List

Sumptuous reads that look as lovely on your coffee table as they do on your bedside table.

time-read
4 mins  |
Volume 3. No 4 - 2023
Long Live YOU!
The Oprah US

Long Live YOU!

A head-to-toe guide to staying strong, sharp, healthy, and happy well into your platinum years.

time-read
10+ mins  |
Volume 3. No 4 - 2023
How to Manage Holiday Stress
The Oprah US

How to Manage Holiday Stress

Want to avoid family drama this year? Here are three ways to pregame.

time-read
2 mins  |
Volume 3. No 4 - 2023
How Makeup Artists Do the Holidays
The Oprah US

How Makeup Artists Do the Holidays

Time to put your party face on! These glam pros are sharing a look they love—and modeling it themselves.

time-read
3 mins  |
Volume 3. No 4 - 2023
On Everyone's Lips
The Oprah US

On Everyone's Lips

Carol Rasheed, the head makeup artist on The Color Purple, gives us a peek behind the scenes-and, thanks to her new lipstick collection, a memento.

time-read
2 mins  |
Volume 3. No 4 - 2023
THE MOTHER-IN-LAW Survival Guide
The Oprah US

THE MOTHER-IN-LAW Survival Guide

Ding-dong, she's here! But fear not-so are we, with advice on managing this singular relationship with grace, humor, and lots of heart.

time-read
10 mins  |
Volume 3. No 4 - 2023
The Enduring Power The Color Purple
The Oprah US

The Enduring Power The Color Purple

It has captivated audiences as a novel, a movie, and a Broadway musical. On the eve of its latest incarnation, a sweeping musical feature film out on Christmas Day, we celebrate Alice Walker's universal saga of resilience and redemption with behind-the-scenes stories from the new book Purple Rising.

time-read
3 mins  |
Volume 3. No 4 - 2023
Who (or What) Do You Need to Thank?
The Oprah US

Who (or What) Do You Need to Thank?

Gratitude isn't just a topic for your annual turkey dinner. It's been scientifically shown to improve your health eating depression, boosting immunity, and lowering stress. These thank-you notes (plus an ode to a heartbreakingly loyal pup) will inspire you to make it a daily practice.

time-read
10+ mins  |
Volume 3. No 4 - 2023
Beam Me Up
The Oprah US

Beam Me Up

Bethany Heitman's self-esteem was tied to her clear skin, so dark spots sent her spiraling. Then she saw the light.

time-read
3 mins  |
Volume 3. No 3 - 2023
Turn Around, Bright Eyes
The Oprah US

Turn Around, Bright Eyes

After years of despising the puffy bags under her eyes, Rae Ann Herman found a surgeon she trusted and woke up refreshed in every way.

time-read
2 mins  |
Volume 3. No 3 - 2023