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A review by smalltownbookmom
More Than Enough: Claiming Space for Who You Are by Elaine Welteroth
4.0
A REALLY inspiring and motivating memoir from a biracial woman younger than me who has been so influential in the publishing world and now the talkshow universe. Elaine Welteroth was the first Black beauty director in Conde Nast’s 107 year history, heading up Teen Vogue and transforming it into an edgy and politically relevant publication. This was GREAT on audio with cameos from both her parents and an author interview with them at the end of the book. HIGHLY recommend for fans of Ruth Reichl’s Save me the plums, Andre Leon Talley’s Chiffon trenches or Jamie Kern Lima’s Believe IT.
Favourite quotes: (there were so many!)
"Long before I knew exactly what career path to pursue - I knew that I wanted to be great - not mediocre, not average, anything but ordinary. I wanted to design my own extraordinary life. A big colorful existence. There was no obvious path to success though - I would have to make it up along the way."
“For so much of our lives we’re told what beauty is, what it looks like, who possesses it and who doesn’t and the ones pushed to the margins are rarely given the pen to write ourselves and our own definitions in.”
"When women affirm women it unlocks our power - it gives us permission to shine brighter."
"At various times in our lives we all struggle with feeling good enough, pretty enough, skinny enough, worthy enough as we are. Nothing good can grow if you don't nourish your own soul."
"But when we are brave enough to go there, to grab what we want, to tap into who we are - damn, it feels good."
"There is no glory in a grind that grinds you down."
"Women aren't taught to get comfortable with making people uncomfortable."
"Job titles are temporary but purpose is infinite."
Favourite quotes: (there were so many!)
"Long before I knew exactly what career path to pursue - I knew that I wanted to be great - not mediocre, not average, anything but ordinary. I wanted to design my own extraordinary life. A big colorful existence. There was no obvious path to success though - I would have to make it up along the way."
“For so much of our lives we’re told what beauty is, what it looks like, who possesses it and who doesn’t and the ones pushed to the margins are rarely given the pen to write ourselves and our own definitions in.”
"When women affirm women it unlocks our power - it gives us permission to shine brighter."
"At various times in our lives we all struggle with feeling good enough, pretty enough, skinny enough, worthy enough as we are. Nothing good can grow if you don't nourish your own soul."
"But when we are brave enough to go there, to grab what we want, to tap into who we are - damn, it feels good."
"There is no glory in a grind that grinds you down."
"Women aren't taught to get comfortable with making people uncomfortable."
"Job titles are temporary but purpose is infinite."