Dec 14, 2016
Doria Shafik’s 108th Birthday
This Doodle’s Key Themes
One of the leading champions for the Egyptian women’s liberation movement came in the form of a powerful female force that set out against the status quo from an early age. Doria Shafik knew she was destined for more than what society offered women during her time—she earned a PHD in Paris, became a prolific feminist activist, philosopher, poet, author and editor. As a direct result of her efforts, Egyptian women were granted the right to vote for the first time. She led protests at the Parliament, initiated hunger strikes and traveled around the world to spread her wisdom.
Doria published an Arabic magazine called “Bint Al Nil,” or “Daughter of the Nile” (her nickname), to educate Egyptian women and empower them to play an active role in their families and in society. The first copy came out in November of 1945 and immediately sold out—fueling the desire for real systemic change.
Today we celebrate what would have been Doria’s 108th birthday with a personal motto that inspired her along the path of reformation and justice: “to know, to be able, to want and to dare.”
(Three initial concepts for the Doodle)
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