Born: 1879 (Minya, Egypt)
Died: 1947
Biography:
Huda Sha’arawi, also known as Hoda Sha’rawi, was a pioneering Egyptian feminist leader, suffragette, nationalist, and founder of the Egyptian Feminist Union. Born on June 23, 1879, in the city of Minya, Sha’arawi came from the prestigious Egyptian Shaarawi family. Her father, Muhamed Sultan Pasha Shaarawi, went on to become the president of Egypt’s Chamber of Deputies. Her mother, Iqbal Hanim, was of Circassian descent and had been sent from the Caucasus region to live with her uncle in Egypt.
Sha’arawi received an early education along with her brothers, studying various subjects such as grammar and calligraphy in multiple languages. Growing up in an upper-class Egyptian community, she spent her childhood and early adulthood secluded. Following her father’s death, she came under the guardianship of her eldest cousin, Ali Shaarawi. At the age of thirteen, she was married to her cousin Ali, who was also named the legal guardian of her children and the trustee of her father’s estate.
The separation from her husband gave Sha’arawi the opportunity to pursue a formal education, which was quite unusual for women during that time. She received education and tutoring from female teachers in Cairo and became fluent in Arabic and French. She also developed a talent for writing poetry in both languages.
Sha’arawi played a prominent role in the Egyptian Revolution of 1919, a women-led protest advocating for Egyptian independence from British rule and the release of male nationalist leaders. Alongside other female members of the Egyptian elite, she led the masses of protestors, while women from lower social classes and the countryside actively participated in street protests. During the revolution, she worked closely with her husband, who stood as the acting vice president for the Wafd party. Her husband kept her informed so that she could take his place if he or other Wafd members were arrested.
In the aftermath of the revolution, the Wafdist Women’s Central Committee (WWCC) was founded on January 12, 1920, with Sha’arawi elected as its first president. Many women who had participated in the protests became members of the committee, which represented the interests and concerns of Egyptian women in the political sphere.
Sha’arawi’s activism extended beyond feminism and played a significant role in Egyptian nationalism. In 1938, she and the Egyptian Feminist Union (EFU) sponsored the Eastern Women’s Conference for the Defense of Palestine in Cairo, prioritizing nationalist issues over feminist concerns.
Throughout her life, Huda Sha’arawi faced numerous challenges and struggles against societal norms and patriarchal structures. She dedicated herself to the fight for women’s rights and empowerment, inspiring generations of feminists in Egypt and beyond. Her memoir, Modhakkerātī (My Memoir), provides a valuable account of her early life and experiences and has been translated into English as Harem Years: The Memoirs of an Egyptian Feminist, 1879–1924.
Huda Sha’arawi’s contributions to women’s rights and Egyptian nationalism led to significant recognition during her lifetime. In 1945, she was awarded the Order of Virtues for her activism and leadership. Her legacy continues to inspire women around the world in their own struggles for gender equality and social justice.
Awards:
– Order of Virtues (1945)