If ever there was a need for a publication advocating young women valuing their skin colour, peace of mind and thus honouring their bodies, it is now. 
As stated in the preface, the philosophy of ‘educate woman and you educate nation’ explains the critical concept of the symbiotic relationship between education and female empowerment. No one can take your education from you even if you lose your material possessions or through no fault of your own, become displaced. Education serves as a beacon in any quagmire of darkness, poverty and misfortune because it lights the way to freedom, be it physical, spiritual or financial.
Author Alex Banton structured her ‘memos’ into chapters dealing with a range of issues such as love, sex, health and hygiene, relationship, education, inner peace, success, self discipline and family. A certified page-turner, I was hard pressed to put it down as the matter of fact tone was similar to a conversation being had with a friend, so its literary exploration was comforting. The chapter on sex was especially interesting as it broke down just how this act that almost everyone partakes of, has become so taboo that we have mystified it to the detriment of our young people. It has been transformed from being natural and physiological according to Abraham Maslow to something near sinister that you don’t talk about in polite company. We commercialise, demonise,
demoralise and sensationalise it so much that it is cheapened and has largely become a tool or weapon, depending on one’s agenda. By engaging in open and honest discussion, Banton has put it back where it belongs.
A fine literary offering that can assist in building character for girls universally, Memo to My Daughters was a delight to read.
Memos to my daughters
