Egyptian women have been a symbol of strength and beauty since the age of Pharaohs. They have shown greatness and strong determination to overcome hardships and make phenomena real. Egyptian women are goddesses, queens, warriors, loving mothers, strong athletes and beautiful divas. Egyptians have a proverb that means “only a woman can do it.” Therefore, these are 8 Egyptian ladies who have broken stereotypes and went down in history.

Hatshepsut

Hatshepsut was a female pharaoh of Egypt. She ruled Ancient Egypt between 1473 and 1458 B.C. Hatshepsut has become the Queen when she married her half-brother, Thutmose II. She was not only a beauty queen, but also a mega mind! She worked to develop trade and to strengthen Bilateralism between Egypt and other countries. Therefore, she has sent voyages to Punt, also known as “God’s land”, which was a key foreign relations triumph during her time. The voyage came back to Egypt with ivory, gold and leopard skin. Hatshepsut was very interested in building projects as a ruler; she constructed one of the architectural wonders of ancient Egypt: The memorial temple at Deir el-Bahri (Hatshepsut temple) at Luxor. She ordered her painters and sculptors to portray her dressed as a male with a beard and huge muscles. However, she appeared in traditional female clothes and was known for her beauty.

Cleopatra VII

“I WILL NOT BE TRIUMPHED OVER.”

Cleopatra is famous for her mesmerizing beauty. However, her charm is not the only thing that distinguishes her; the Queen is prominent because of her cunning plans and her political wisdom. She possessed charming wit, intelligence and a one of a kind tact. No wonder why she was able to draw these Roman warlords to her! She has a beautiful mind and she owned it. Cleopatra was fluent in nine languages, in addition to being a great mathematician and a chemist. To add greatness to her beauty, she was able to defend Egypt from the rapid expand of the Roman Empire during her rule.

Huda Sha’arawi

She is considered the mother of feminism in Egypt and Middle East. In 1923, an Egyptian woman stood in front of everyone and removed her veil, which was very unusual back then. This phenomenal woman is Huda Sha’arawi. She was born in 1879 into a wealthy family in Upper Egypt. In the 1919 Revolution, Shaarawi led the women of Cairo into the streets to protest against the British forces. Shaarawi has founded the Egyptian Feminist Union, considered Egypt’s first national women’s organization. Huda stood for women as she has articulated women’s rights of education and divorce. She has fought for women’s freedom of expression and dress as well.

Sameera Moussa

“I’ll make nuclear treatment as available and as cheap as Aspirin.”

Sameera Moussa was the first female Egyptian nuclear scientist. Sameera became the first woman to earn a doctorate in atomic radiation. Her main goal was to use Atomic Energy for peaceful and noble causes. She organized the “Atomic Energy for Peace” Conference, in which she articulated the peaceful usage of Atomic Energy and protested against weapons of mass destruction. She got awarded by the Egyptian Army and former President, Anwar Sadat, for her contributions in curing Cancer in Egypt.

Umm Kulthum

Born as Fatema El-Beltagy, Umm Kulthum was a daughter of an Imam (sheikh). She learned how to sing by listening to her father teaching her older brother, Khalid. At the age of 12, she dressed as a man to be able to sing without facing audience’s disapprobation. Umm Kulthumm is famous for her unique style and very strong voice. Her range was unbelievable; Umm Kulthumm had a contralto vocal range (14,000 vibrations/second) , unparalleled vocal strength (no commercial mic for singing at this time could withstand its strength.)

Faten Hamama

She is famous for being the ” Lady of Arabic Screen” and “Audrey Hupburn of Arab World.” She is an Egyptian actress and film producer. Hammama got chosen as ‘Star of the Century’ by the Egyptian Writers and Critics organization at the 2001 Alexandria International Film Festival. She represented herself as a unique, classy, romantic and a modest girl. However, Hammama refused the objectification of women by playing roles that portrayed women as independent and powerful. She helped deliver a real representation of the Egyptian society in movies like Struggle in the Valley ” Sira’ Fi al-Wadi” and Mouths and Rabbits “Afwah wa Araneb”

Farida Osman

Farida is an Egyptian competitive swimmer who specializes in butterfly and freestyle events. At the age of 11, she won all the 50m and 100m freestyle and butterfly national titles, which made her worthy of the “Best Swimmer” trophy. In June 2019, Egyptian swimmer won the Silver medal in the 50m butterfly, during participating in the Swimming World Cup19. Farida has proved that young ladies don’t exist to just be pretty, she is such a beautiful lady with big ambition and we like seeing her conquering the world!

EVERY SINGLE EGYPTIAN WOMِِِAN!

Every Egyptian woman is extremely unique and strongly beautiful. We believe they are always working either to make the life of their children better, to help themselves and others or to face the patriarchal injustice against them( and most of the time they do all of that). Every single woman in Egypt, no matter what religion, race, class, education level she belongs to, is worthy of respect and appreciation. Hats off to them and lots of love!