Official Review: Blood Sweat and Highheels

Raya raymond · Post by **Raya raymond** » 31 Aug 2018, 15:14

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Blood Sweat and Highheels" by cheryl waiters.]

4 out of 4 stars

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Everybody has a life… but the true gift lies in the ability to express that “life force” in a way that is thought provoking, entertaining, inspiring and educational to anyone who might see that life. This life then becomes more-it becomes art.

You may know about Oprah Winfrey and other feminists around the world, but have you heard of Cheryl Waiters? Cheryl is an African American woman who has conquered grounds in which women are not truly accepted. From an early age Cheryl wanted to be a construction worker, but she was discouraged a lot. She comes from a family of construction workers. Her uncle told her that that work was not for women. She was encouraged to go to school, get a degree and do “women’s work”.

Blood Sweat and High Heels is Cheryl’s personal autobiographical novel. In the book, she shares the story of how she overcame gender-based and racial discrimination to thrive in the male dominated field of construction work. She became the first African American woman to be recognized internationally working in a non-traditional environment for female and minorities in construction work. Cheryl also describes how important historical events in American history, like the rise of Martin Luther King helped mold her to the amazing construction worker she is today.

This book is a self-empowerment novel for women of all nationalities. I admire Cheryl’s courage in fighting for her right to be in the construction fields. She has struggled a lot for her dignity and respect in the male-dominated industry of construction. She achieved the impossible. I love how she trashes the myths about what women can and cannot do. She shatters the belief that there are jobs that are gender specific. What one woman can do all women can do. I enjoyed the part of the book where the author gives us a peek inside the life of a city controlled by mafia. She has a great contribution to make to the book.

Cheryl aims at letting other women who are aspiring to do construction work know the rules of the game, and how to avoid pitfalls in the industry as a woman. Generally, her goal is to pass across the message of self-empowerment for all women who read this book. It’s an inspiring book for women. Award winning writer Darnella Ford is featured in the novel.

I rate this book 4 out of 4 stars. It’s an amazing and inspiring story about Cheryl’s journey to building her twenty two year old career. It would be inspiring to any woman out there striving to have their voice heard. Any woman who is constantly made to feel like she’s not good enough for her job because of her gender would find this book very helpful. I think Cheryl has one of the most touching and encouraging stories about gender equality. I recommend this book to all women around the world. Men should also be encouraged to read Cheryl’s story. It would help understand how to support women, and stop gender based discrimination.

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Blood Sweat and Highheels
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Alicia09 · Post by **Alicia09** » 03 Sep 2018, 15:28

I find it interesting that Cheryl sought to break stereotypes of women in construction jobs, because oftentimes I only hear about women who are trying to shatter the glass ceiling in more comfortable jobs (like indoor corporate jobs next to bathrooms and microwaves). It's nice to hear of a woman who is trying to do work that is not only lacking women, but work that is considered to be too physically demanding for women. I also like how she offers advice for other women who are thinking of going into construction. This sounds like a very inspirational read. Thanks!