Embroidering within Boundaries: Afghan Women Creating a Future

"In this beautiful book, Rangina takes us on a journey into her own life and the lives of the talented and courageous Afghan women she serves through Kandahar Treasure. Ambassador, Global Women's Issues; Director, Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace, and Security. This is an extraordinary story of resilient and remarkable people—a story that informs and inspires." —Melanne Verveer, former U.S

Tens of thousands of women, widowed by years of conflict, struggled to support themselves and their families. Her remarkable images throughout the book show Afghan women’s profound struggle, strength, and beauty.. This book traces the converging paths of traditional khamak embroidery and the 300 brave women who have found in it a way to build their lives. The late, award-winning photojournalist Paula Lerner was dedicated to telling the stories of women in Afghanistan. Thus Kandahar Treasure was born. Fifteen years ago, Rangina Hamidi decided to dedicate her life to helping rebuild her native Kandahar, Afghanistan. Rangina started an entrepreneurial enterprise, using the exquisite traditional embroidery of Kandahar, to help women work within the cultural boundaries of Pashtunwali to earn their living and to find a degree of self-determination. The Taliban had been driven out by American forces following 9/11, but Kandahar was a shambles