“Daughters of the Nile: Egyptian Women Changing Their World is a collection of autobiographical presentations by a cross-generational group of Egyptian professional women that provide important examples of what women are achieving in the Middle East—all the more important because of the negative stereotypes and ignorance that often colour today’s discourse.”
This is a summary of the apt description Melanie Verveer, Former US Ambassador for Global Women’s Issues, starts her preface with this important book. The purpose of the book is further elaborated on by the book’s editor, Samia J. Spencer, Professor of French at Auburn University in Alabama, in her own introduction. Spencer cites three objectives she had in mind when she undertook the arduous task of compiling this trove of 37 Egyptian women’s experiences. The book’s first objective was “to break the monolithic stereotype of Egyptian women as loud, uneducated and uncivilised.” The second was to “make the world aware of modern Egyptian champions who are improving the quality of life in (their) societies.” The third objective, which Spencer considers as important as the first two, “was to provide role models for new generations of women in Egypt and beyond,” and “to inspire them to set their goals very high despite the obstacles, and show them that the sky is not the limit.”
Featuring the personal stories of some of the most prominent Egyptian women who reached the zenith of their professions in a wide variety of fields in Egypt and beyond, the book certainly goes a long way in achieving its three objectives.
The book highlights the pioneering experience of 37 incredible women, including two ministers, Rania Al-Mashat, Minister of International Cooperation, and Hala El-Said, Minister of Planning and Economic Development, world-famous jewellery designer Azza Fahmy, Mona Makram Ebeid former Member of Parliament, Marie Assad, Egypt’s most prominent pioneer in social work, and so many more. Many of these women’s achievements have been recognised and honoured by national and international institutions. Readers will also be inspired by so many other special women sharing their stories, like the three trailblazing bankers, Nayera Amin, Sahar El Sallab, and Nevine El Tahry who reached the pinnacle of their profession, as well as Fatenn Kanafani, who had a hugely successful corporate career before making a name for herself in art research and running one of Cairo’s premier art galleries; and pediatrician Hana Aboul Ghar, the founder of Banati, Cairo’s first shelter for homeless girls. The list goes on and on, to include Tyseer Aboulnasr, the first woman Dean of Engineering at the University of Ottawa, Canada, Caroline Maher, the Taekwondo champion who was appointed to the Egyptian Senate, sisters Hend and Nadia Wassef, the founders of Diwan, a leading bookstore chain with branches all over Egypt, and many more amazing women achievers in Egypt and abroad.
In her introductory chapter, Spencer recalls Egypt’s fascinating ancient history, taught in schools all over the world,
“The fascinating history, culture, and mythology of ancient Egypt highlights its kings and queens, women and men portrayed full size side by side, as equal partners, each playing a different role and assuming distinct responsibilities.” However, she then laments.
“What about their descendants: contemporary Egyptian women? Who are they? What do we know about them? What is their status in society? What have they contributed to the development of their nation and the world?”
This wonderful book answers these pertinent questions. It is a stark reminder of the power of Egyptian women, their achievements, their resilience to overcome all obstacles, and their ability to make their world a better place. It reveals the Egyptian woman’s indomitable spirit, her remarkable leadership skills, and her deep desire to improve the quality of life in her country and beyond.