Egyptian

Arab Women by Nationality - Egyptian

Aisha Rateb Soad

Egyptian

1928-

Diplomat and Professor of Law

educated in Cairo and Paris
second woman to be appointed to the Egyptian Cabinet 1971
Minster of Social Affairs and Social Insurance 1971-77
first Egyptian woman to be appointed as an ambassador for Egypt
Ambassador to Denmark 1979-81
Ambassador to Federal Republic of Germany 1981-4
Professor of International Law, University of Cairo

International Who’s Who of Women. 3rd ed. London: Routledge, 2002. Print. p.468 (DWC collection REF CT3202.I58 2002)

Aisha Abdel-Rahman, (pen name: Bint el-Shati)

Egyptian

1913 - 1998

Writer and University Professor

Educated at Cairo University.
Began career as assistant lecturer at Cairo University in 1939
became Professor of Arabic Literature and Chair Univ. Coll for women in 1962.
Publications include: Rissalet el Ghofram by Abul Ala'a 1950, New Values in Arabic Literature 1961, The Koran: Literary Interpretation 1962, Ibn Seeda's Arabic Dictionary 1962, Contemporary Arab Women Poets 1963, as well as 2 novels and 4 volumes of short stories.

International Who’s Who of Women. 3rd ed. London: Routledge, 2002. Print. p. 1 (DWC collection REF CT3202.I58 2002)

http://www.arabworldbooks.com/authors/aisha_abdelrahman.html

http://www.mideastnews.com/aisha.htm

Amina Rizq

Egyptian

b. 1910

Actor

joined Wahbi's Ramsis troupe in 1924 and appeared in first film in 1928 Su'ad al-Ghajariyya/ Su'ad the Gypsy
appeared in Egypt's first talking picture Awlad al Dhawatt/Sons of Aristocrats (1932)
acted in an exaggerated, melodramatic style and usually appeared in supporting roles
has appeared in over 100 films
latest film Ard al Ahlam/Land of Dreams (1993)

Leaman, Oliver, ed. Companion Encyclopedia of Middle Eastern and North African Film. London: Routledge, 2001. Print. p. 121 (DWC collection PN1993.5.A65 C66 2001)

http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/1999/455/cu4.htm

Attiyat Al-Abnudi

Egyptian

b. 1939

Film maker

educated at Higher Film Institute and London Film School
director of over 20 film and video documentaries
first film produced in 1971 Husan al-Tin/Horse of Mud
1989 film Iqa 'al Haya/Rhythm of Life most clearly exemplifies her style and interests
one of few independent film-makers in Egypt
many of her films are concerned with women, notably Bihar al-Attash/Seas of thirst (1981), al-Ahlam al-Mumkinna/Permissible Dreams (1982), Rawya (1994), Nisa' Mas'ulat/Responsible Women (1995).
1996 films a full length documentary Ayam al-Dimuqratiyya /Days of Democracy which covers the problems surrounding female participation in Egyptian parliamentary elections.

Leaman, Oliver, ed. Companion Encyclopedia of Middle Eastern and North African Film. London: Routledge, 2001. Print. p. 89 (DWC collection PN1993.5.A65 C66 2001)

http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/1999/429/bk2_429.htm

Dori'a Shafiq

Egyptian

Politician

established first Egyptian women's political party "Bint al Nil" (Daughters of the Nile) in 1948

Doria Shafik. Wikipedia. Retrieved September 8, 2009, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doria_Shafiq

Faten Hamama

Egyptian

b. 1931

Actor

called "The First Lady of Arab Cinema'
first film role in 1940 Yawm Sa'id /Happy Day
originally played helpless and vulnerable middle or upper class girls involved in emotional entanglements as in Lahn al Khulud/Song of eternity (1952)
later in career she played rural or working class women, most impressively in al-Haram/ The Sin (1965)
latest film was Ard al-Ahlam/Land of Dreams (1993) in which she played a mother who is asked by her children to emigrate to the United States to help them obtain visas

Leaman, Oliver, ed. Companion Encyclopedia of Middle Eastern and North African Film. London: Routledge, 2001. Print. p.116. (DWC collection PN1993.5.A65 C66 2001)

Fatima Rushdi

Egyptian

b. 1908

Actor

a pioneer of Egyptian cinema, as an actress, producer and director
began her career in theatre and became known as the "Sarah Berhardt of the Orient" because she performed many of the same classical roles as Berhardt
founded her own theatre troupe
first appeared on screen in 1928 in Faji'a Fawq al-haram/Disaster on the Pyramids
most famous film was al-Azima/Determination (1939)
last role was in Da'uni A'ish/Let me Live (1955)
1933 directed her first and only film al-Zawaj/The marriage

Leaman, Oliver, ed. Companion Encyclopedia of Middle Eastern and North African Film. London: Routledge, 2001. Print. p.122. (DWC collection PN1993.5.A65 C66 2001)

Hekmat Abu Zeid (Dr.)

Egyptian

Politician

the first woman appointed to the Egyptian Cabinet 1962
became the Minister for Social Affairs, serving until 1965

Huda Sh'arawi

Egyptian

1879-1947

Politician and feminist

1919 led demonstrations of veiled women in support of the Egyptian nationalist cause. These were the first demonstrations of their kind in Egypt.
1923 attended the meeting of the International Alliance for Women in Rome. She, and the rest of the Egyptian delegation, returned to Egypt unveiled.
1923 establishes The Egyptian Feminist Union in Cairo
Arab Feminist Union was founded in Cairo in 1944 and she was elected president

http://www.emory.edu/ENGLISH/Bahri/Shaarawi.html

http://www.distinguishedwomen.com/biographies/shaarawi.html

Hoda Shaarawi. (n.d.) Wikipedia. Retrieved September 8, 2009, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Huda_Shaarawi

Inas El Deghaidy

Egyptian

b. 1954

Film Director

educated at the Higher Film Institute
directed 11 full length feature films to become the most successful Egyptian woman director of mainstream cinema
films combine focus on women, spectacular plots and mise-en-scene
stresses the active role of women and heroines often struggle successfully against social discrimination and sexual exploitation
films include "Afwan Ayuha al-Qunun/Excuse me Law! (1985), al-Qatilla/The Murderess (1992), Disco Disco (1994), Lahm Rakhis/Cheap Flesh (1995), Imra'a Wahida LaTakfi/One woman is not enough (1990) Istakusa/Lobster (1996) and Dantilla/Lace (1998)

Leaman, Oliver, ed. Companion Encyclopedia of Middle Eastern and North African Film. London: Routledge, 2001. Print. p.96 (DWC collection PN1993.5.A65 C66 2001

Jehan Sadat

Egyptian

b.1933

Humanitarian, educator

married to President Anwar Sadat until his death in 1981
Master's degree in Arabic Literature from Cairo University
established the Talla Society to promote women's education and training and to support women's handicrafts
founded a city for handicapped war veterans
professor of International Studies at University of Maryland since 1973
1984 Women's International Center gives her the Living Legacy Award and establishes the Jehan Sadat Peace Award
published her autobiography "A Woman of Egypt"

http://www.wic.org/bio/jsadat.htm

Layla Murad

Egyptian

1918 - 1995

Actress

born to a Moroccan Jewish family
converted to Islam 1946
a leading Egyptian actress in the period between the two World Wars, nicknamed "The Cinderella of cinema'
appeared in 27 musicals between 1938 and 1955
first film was in Yahya al-Hubb/Long Live Love (1938)
also appeared in melodramas such as Layla (1942), Shati' al Gharam/Beach of Love (1950)
appeared in films produced and directed by her husband Anwar Wagdi such as Ghazal al Banat/ Girls Flirtation
1955 married Fatin Abd al-Whabbab, retired from cinema and later from singing

Leaman, Oliver, ed. Companion Encyclopedia of Middle Eastern and North African Film. London: Routledge, 2001. Print. p.119. (DWC collection PN1993.5.A65 C66 2001)

http://www.turath.org/Articles/Murad.htm

Mervat Tallawy

Egyptian

1937-

Politician and Diplomat

educated at American University of Cairo, Institute for Diplomatic Studies (Cairo) and Graduate Institute of International Studies (Geneva)
joined Minstry of Foreign Affairs 1963
Deputy Director of Department of International Organizations 1985-8
Director of International Ecomonic Department 1991
Assistant Minister for International Political and Economic Affairs 1992-3
Ambassador to Austria 1988-91
Ambassador to Japan 1993-7
Minister for Insurance and Social Affairs of Egypt (1997-1999),
member and delegate to numerous UN councils and committees including UN Environment Conference, and Commission on the Status of Women
Secretary General of the Egyptian National Council for Women
Executive Secretary of the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) 2001

http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2000/20001122.sga751.doc.html

International Who’s Who of Women. 6th ed. London: Routledge, 2008. Print. p. 2149. (DWC collection REF CT3202.I58 2008)

Mona Makram Ebeid

Egyptian

Politician and Professor

educated Harvard University, University of Cairo and American University of Cairo
Professor of Political Science and Political Sociology
Member of People's Assmbly (Parliament) 1990-95
Founder member of Arab Organization for Human Rights
Advisor to World Bank for the Middle East and North Africa 1992
Fulbright Scholar 1981 & 1983
Chevalier de la Legion d"honneur 1994
Commandeur de la Pleaide 1995

http://www.weforum.org/en/KNContributors/index.htm?personid=57350

International Who’s Who of Women. 6th ed. London: Routledge, 2008. Print. p.1401. (DWC collection REF CT3202.I58 2008)

Nadia Al-Gindi

Egyptian

b .1940

Actor

Egypt's best paid female star known for her belly dancing, and seductive gestures and clothing
first role in Jamila al-Jaza'iriyya /Jamila the Algerian (1958) and first starring role was in the biography Bamba Kashar (1974)
usually plays femme fatales and social climbers but later in life played patriotic and courageous heroines
films include al-Batniyya (1980), al-Khadima/The servant 91984), Muhimma Fi Tall-Abib/Mission in Tel Aviv (1992), al Jasusa Hikmat Fahmi/The spy Hikmat Fahmi (1994) and Imra'a Hazat Arsh Misr/A woman shook Egypt's Throne (1995)

Source: Companion Encyclopedia of Middle Eastern and North African Film ed. Oliver Leaman London: Routledge, 2001 p.111

Naima Akif

Egyptian

1932-1966

Actor and dancer

circus artist, dancer and lead actress in 22 films
one of the most talented film dancers of her era
often appeared in light musical comedies, many of which were directed by her husband Husain Fawsi
usually played a poor but talented performer who wanted to become famous and was caught in a romance
most successful films were Lahalibo (1949), Baba Aris/Daddy as a Bridegroom (1950), Fatat al-Sirk (Circus Girl) 1951, tamr Hinna/Tamarind (1957) and Baya'it al-Gara'id/The Newspaper Vendor

http://www.belly-dance.org/naima-akef.html

http://www.joyofbellydancing.com/bdstars.htm

Source: Companion Encyclopedia of Middle Eastern and North African Film ed. Oliver Leaman London: Routledge, 2001 p.111

Nawal El Saadawi

Egyptian

b.1931

Writer, feminist, sociologist, medical doctor

1955 graduated from University of Cairo with degree in psychiatry.
becomes Egypt's Director of Public Health
1972 publishes "Women and Sex". This highly controversial work results in her dismissal from the Ministry of Health, from the post of Chief Editor of a health journal, and from her position as Assistant General Secretary in the Medical Association of Egypt
1973-76 researched women and neurosis in Ain Shams University
1977 publishes most famous work "The Hidden Face of Eve"
1979-80 appointed as United Nations Advisor for the Women's Program in Africa and the Middle East
1981 formed the Arab Women's Solidarity Association
1981 imprisioned and books banned
1983 publishes "Memoirs from a women's prison" an account of her imprisonment under Anwar Sadat
1992 moved to United States
1993-96 Writer in Residence at Duke University, and taught at Washington State University

http://www.nawalsaadawi.net/bio.htm

The International Who's Who of Women 3rd ed. Europa Publications: London, 2002 p.160

Nazli Gad El Mawla

Egyptian

1928 - 2001

Doctor

educated at the University of Cairo, M.D 1961
pioneer of oncology in Egyptian medical field
1970 she founded the Department of Medical Oncology at the National Cancer Institute, Egypt
professor of Oncology 1977- 1989

http://www.inctr.org/publications/2001_v01_n04_s03.shtml

The International Who's Who of Women 3rd ed. Europa Publications: London, 2002 p.194

Nazli Madkour

Egyptian

1949

Artist

educated at University of Cairo and American Univeristy (Cairo)
Economic expert for Industrial Development Center for Arab States
Published Egyptian women and artistic creativity 1989

http://www.sis.gov.eg/egyptinf/culture/html/nazli1.htm

The International Who's Who of Women 3rd ed. Europa Publications: London, 2002 p.355

Sahar Al Hawari

Egyptian

Sportswoman

established the Egyptian Association for Women's Football 1994
organized first Arab Women's Football Tournament in 1997
president of first Arab Women's Football League
first woman to be member of Egyptian Football Association
her committment to sport has led her to become a sporits commentator, sports manager and referee

http://66.218.71.225/search/cache?p=egyptian+women%27s+football+association&ei=UTF-8&vm=i&n=20&fl=0&url=24kT-74aDuoJ:multimedia.olympic.org/pdf/fr_report_207.pdf

http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/1999/454/sp2.htm

Samia Gamal

real name Zaynab Khalil Ibrahim

Egyptian

1924-1994

Actor

actress and dancer
first film Mamu' al-Hubb/Forbidden Love (1942)
first starring role was in Ahmar Shafayif/red Lipstick (1946) in which she played a femme fatale
usually played a beautiful but innocent woman
often teamed in comedic style with the singer Farid al-Atrash
films include "Afrita Hanim/Lady Ghost (1949), Akhir Kidba/The last lie (1950), Ma Ti'ulsh Li-hadd/Don't tell Anybody (1952), Nashala hanim /Lady Pickpocket (1953) and Sukkar Hanim/Mrs Sugar (1960)

Samia Gamal. Wikipedia. Retrieved September 2, 2009, from, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samia_Gamal

Leaman, Oliver, ed. Companion Encyclopedia of Middle Eastern and North African Film. London: Routledge, 2001. Print. p.114 (DWC collection PN1993.5.A65 C66 2001)

Shadia (real name Fatima Ahmad Kamal)

Egyptian

b. 1931

Actor and singer

first appeared in film in 1947 in al-Aql Fi Ajaza/The mind on vacation
orignally typecast as innocent young girls in love but by 1960s was playing in light comedies and dramas such as Mirati Mudir 'am/My wife is a general director (1966), al Mar'a al Majhiula/The Unknown Woamn (1959) and al-Liss wal-Kilab/The thief and the dogs (1962)
last film was La Tas'ahni Man Ana/Don't ask me who I am (1984)

Shadia. Wikipedia. Retrieved September 2, 2009, from, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shadia

Leaman, Oliver, ed. Companion Encyclopedia of Middle Eastern and North African Film. London: Routledge, 2001. Print. p.123 (DWC collection PN1993.5.A65 C66 2001)

Sherihan (Sherihan Ahmed Abd El Fatah Al Shalakani)

Egyptian

b. 1965

Singer

member of a family famous in the entertainment field, the Khorshids.
Dancer, singer, actress, playwright

Sherihan. n.d.Wikipedia. Retrieved September 2, 2009, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sherihan

Soad Hosny

Egyptian

b. 1941

Actor

first film Hasan Wa Na'ima/Husan and Na'ima (1959)
acts in a large variety of films from musicals such as Khalli Balak Min Zuzu/Take care of Zuzu to dramas such as Zawjatti Wa-l-Kalb/My wife and the Dog (1971) and Maw'id Ala al-Asha/Rendezvous for dinner (1981) and is considered one of the most talented Egyptian actresses
latest film was al-Ra'i Wa-l-Nisa/The Shepherd and the woman (1991)

Soad Hosny. Wikipedia (n.d.) Retrieved September 2, 2009, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soad_Hosny

Leaman, Oliver, ed. Companion Encyclopedia of Middle Eastern and North African Film. London: Routledge, 2001. Print. p.117. (DWC collection PN1993.5.A65 C66 2001)

Suzanne Mubarak

Egyptian

Humanitarian, First Lady of Arab Republic of Egypt

graduated from American University of Cairo in 1977 with a Bachelors in Political Science and in 1982 with a Masters in Sociology
married to President Hosni Mubarak
active in the fields of development for women and children, health care and literacy

Suzanne Mubarak. (n.d.)Wikipedia. Retreived September 2, 2009, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suzanne_Mubarak

Tahiyya Carioca

real name Badawiyya Muhammed Karim

Egyptian

1915-1999

Actor

actress and belly dancer trained at Badia Masabni's variety theatre
one of best and most beautiful dancers of her time
1935 appeared in her first film Dr Farhat
1942 first starring role in Uhib al Ghalat/I love the wrong
most important early film Lu'bat al-Sitt/The Lady's game (1946) established her persona
most often played the mu'alima - the popular mistress, courageous, independent, yet virtuous and traditionally oriented, but went on to play queens, and mothers towards the end of her career
films include al-Futuwa/the thug (1957), Shabab Imra'a/Youth of a Woman (1956), Wa Ishlamah/ Oh Islam (1961), Khalli Balak Min Zuzu/Take care of Zuzu (1972), Li-l-Hubb Qissa Akhira /love's Last Story (1986)

http://www.belly-dance.org/tahia-carioca.html

http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/1999/448/cu1.htm

Taheyya Kariokka. (n.d.) Wikipedia. Retrieved September 2, 2009, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taheyya_Kariokka

Leaman, Oliver, ed. Companion Encyclopedia of Middle Eastern and North African Film. London: Routledge, 2001. Print. p.113. (DWC collection PN1993.5.A65 C66 2001)

Umm Kulthum

Egyptian

1904 - 1974

Singer and actor

known as the Kawakab al-sharq "Star of the Orient" and as al-sitt "the mistress"
considered to be the most extraordinary and popular Egyptian singer of the 20th century
appeared in 6 films begining in 1936 with Widad
her best film is considered to be Sallama 91945) in which she appeared as a faithful and talented slave
not a gifted actress and did not continue acting after 1947

http://edmund2.hiof.no/egypt/700/780/umKoulthoum/biography.html

Umm Kulthum. (n.d.). Wikipedia. Retrieved August 13, 2009, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Umm_Kulthum

Leaman, Oliver, ed. Companion Encyclopedia of Middle Eastern and North African Film. London: Routledge, 2001. Print. p.125. (DWC collection PN1993.5.A65 C66 2001)

Youssra

Egyptian

b. 1955

Actor

first film as Qasr Fi-l-Hawa'l/A palace in the air (1975)
reputed to be best Egyptian actress of the modern era
plays a variety of characters and styles
1990s she specialized in comedic roles including al-Irhab Wa-l-Kabab/Terrorism and the Kebabs (1992)
Best Actress Award 'Golden Knight' of the Middle East Oscars 1999
starred in "Hayat El Gohary", "Raafat El Hagan", and "Awan El Ward" and "Ayna Qalby" series for TV and performed play "Lama Papa Yenam" on stage

Leaman, Oliver, ed. Companion Encyclopedia of Middle Eastern and North African Film. London: Routledge, 2001. Print. p.125. (DWC collection PN1993.5.A65 C66 2001)

Youssra. (n.d.) Wikipedia. Retrieved September 2, 2009, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Youssra

Zaynab El - Ghazali,

Egyptian

Activist

Founded the Muslim Ladies' Association 1936
supported Hasan al-Banna founder of the Society of Muslim Brothers and backed his efforts to establish an Islamic state
Muslim Women's Association dissolved by government in 1965
jailed for political beliefs 1966-1971
1971 - active speaker and teacher of Islam

http://www.jannah.org/sisters/zaynab.html

Zainab Al Ghazali. (n.d.) Wikipedia. Retrieved September 2, 2009, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zainab_al_ghazali