July 2012: Kabul Beauty School (Rodriguez, Ohlson)

Post date: Jul 22, 2012 9:1:48 PM

In the July 17th discussion of the Kabul Beauty School, the group agreed that teaching Afghan women to run salons was a terrific way to help them achieve financial independence. Starting the school was a difficult undertaking in Kabul, and the founders of the school showed ingenuity and strength in pursuing their goal. Most of us were glad we read the book. It was interesting to learn about the lives of Afghan women, such as their sexy dancing at weddings, where the men and women were segregated. Several in the group had heard about the controversy surrounding Debbie Rodriguez after the publication of the book, when the other five founders of the school accused her of exaggerating her own importance in the school and of making up stories. She also may have moved the school to her husband’s compound because she wanted to make it a for-profit entity. She apparently did not follow through on promises to help the students she had taught, and she left Afghanistan and school abruptly, which closed because of non-payment of rent. Mary Ann recommended the documentary “The Beauty Academy of Kabul” by Liz Mermin, which includes Debbie Rodriguez and the other founders, as well as old film of life in Kabul in the 1970’s, which was quite different.

Thanks to Mary Ann both for hosting and providing this write-up.