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The Defiant Optimist

The Defiant Optimist

By Durreen Shahnaz

Daring to Fight Global Inequality, Reinvent Finance, and Invest in Women. Broadleaf Books, 2023.

0.0 / 0

21 mins read

17 Key insights

A brief summary of The Defiant Optimist

The personal journey of a female financier’s trailblazing work to break down gender roles, defy tradition, and reinvent an elitist system constructed to hold people back from achieving financial stability.

Key insights in The Defiant Optimist

1
What do you get from this book? The story of an oppressed woman fighting for the rights of the disadvantaged
2
Around the world women are treated as second-class citizens, but Durreen Shahnaz chose to challenge traditional gender roles
3
Women have always found ways to challenge opposition, proving themselves as courageous as any man
4
Bangladeshi wives work hard to keep their husbands happy, but one wrong move can bring shame to their entire family
5
Dureen’s education in the Philippines and America gave her important insights into global inequality, politics, and economics
6
While working in banking, Durreen encountered extreme prejudice, but she also learned valuable lessons about finances
7
Moving from the US to Bangladesh and back again, Durreen found new ways to help the women in her country
8
Although Durreen sought ways to connect disadvantaged businesses with wealthy bankers, she couldn’t seem to get ahead
9
Every business needs startup capital, but women and people of color face unique challenges in finding investors
10
The 9/11 tragedy irreparably harmed Durreen’s plans for living and working in America
11
Durreen faced new challenges after moving—inclusivity is difficult to achieve when people are fearful and set in their ways
12
Every decision a company makes has an impact on the world, whether good or bad
13
Though Durreen was excited to launch a company for the betterment of the common good, the elite didn’t care
14
The Women’s Livelihood Bond was met with a rocky start but has since benefited millions of women around the globe
15
Summary of the key insights
16
Selected critiques in brief
17
Final word

Who should read The Defiant Optimist

Female entrepreneurs • advocates of social justice • women and people of color • startups in developing countries • socially responsible investors • anyone who wants to help those without a voice

About the author of The Defiant Optimist

Durreen Shahnaz is a Bangladeshi-American business professor and entrepreneur. She was the first Bangladeshi woman to work on Wall Street, and has had a profound influence on impact investing. In addition, Shahnaz has received several awards for her humanitarian work combining gender inequality, social change, and economics, including The Oslo Business for Peace Award and Joseph Wharton Social Impact Award.

author avatar

Durreen Shahnaz

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