Huda Sha'arawi’s 141st Birthday

Today’s Doodle, illustrated by Cairo-based guest artist Aya Tarek, celebrates the 141st birthday of Egyptian activist, feminist, nationalist, and author Huda Sha’arawi, widely considered one of the pioneers of the women’s movement in Egypt.

Huda Sha’arawi was born Nur Al-Huda Sha’arawi into a wealthy family in Minya, Egypt on this day in 1879 and grew up in the Egyptian capital of Cairo. Following World War I, Sha’arawi became a prominent leader in the country’s nationalist fight against British rule. In 1919, following the arrest of several nationalist leaders, she organized Egyptian women into one of the largest protests of the movement.  

In 1923, after Egypt gained its independence, Sha’arawi founded and led one of the first formal feminist organizations in Egypt, the Egyptian Feminist Union, to fight for women’s education, suffrage, and legal equality, including representation in parliament.

Through her tireless advocacy for women’s rights and education, Sha’arawi helped pave the way for Egypt’s first secondary school for women, and in 1933, the country honored its first female university graduates. In 1956, another one of her biggest goals was finally achieved when Egypt granted women the right to vote and run for office.

Guest Artist Q&A with Aya Tarek

Today’s Doodle was illustrated by Cairo-based guest artist Aya Tarek. Below, she shares her thoughts behind the making of this Doodle:
 

Q: Why was this topic meaningful to you personally?

A: Huda Sha'arawi is a well-known Egyptian feminist figure, and I happened to have visited her home in Zamalek by mere chance with some friends of mine. After doing some research on her and other Egyptian feminist figures in the 20th century after, I was impressed by how progressive and pioneering Egyptian female intellectuals were at the time and how they paved the way for the contemporary, independent and talented women in Egypt and MENA.
 

Q: What were your first thoughts when you were approached about the project?

A: I was really motivated! I have always loved Google Doodles and to be approached to illustrate one of the early Egyptian Feminists was very exciting. 
 

Q: Did you draw inspiration from anything in particular for this Doodle?

A: Photographs of early feminist protests in 1919 set before the Cairo cityscape at the time were really powerful, beautiful, and moving.
 

Q: What message do you hope people take away from your Doodle?

A: To remember how Egyptian women have been: educated and self-empowered throughout history.

Early concepts and sketches of the Doodle