The Blue Sweater documents the experiences of Jacqueline Novogratz, the patient capitalist who founded the non-profit venture capital firm, Acumen Fund.  It had me by page 10. Novogratz is an alumni of UVa, who completed a bachelors in economics while there. After graduation, she moved to NYC to pursue a lucrative career at Chase Manhattan.  Though her cushy job took her around the world, she eventually came to the realization that she could do more from the field.  Thus at age 25, she went to Rwanda to work in microfinance. Sounds familiar?

The story behind the title is enough for anyone to go “AHA”.  When she was a young girl, her uncle gave her a blue sweater that had a picture of Kilimanjaro in front of it. When she eventually outgrew it, it was donated to the local salvation army. It would have it that the journeys of  Novogratz and the blue sweater would eventually cross path a decade later in Rwanda – She, jogging along the dusty roads …It, covering the small frame of an African boy. 

The memoir is inspiring and raw.  From Rwanda to Rockefeller Foundation, Novogratz opens our eyes to a new approach on an old problem. Yet, she makes no compromises for the failures and tragedies that occured during her career.  It’s a great read, for anyone  interested in social enterpreneuership. It’s a must read, for those who have just taken their first step into this field.