Doria Shafik (1908-1975) was one of the most important feminists in the Arab world. But for years, her name was left out of the history books.
Doria Shafik (1908-1975) was one of the most important feminists in the Arab world. But for years, her name was left out of the history books.
Women’s contributions to peacekeeping efforts are often overlooked, but no more. This month on Womanica we're highlighting women who have spearheaded peacekeeping initiatives all over the world — from India to South Africa to the United States. We cover women like Doria Shafik who led Egypt’s female liberation movement, as well as Coretta Scott King who was a fierce advocate for equality for Black Americans and a leader in the Civil Rights Movement. Tune in to hear the stories of women who were integral to creating peace in their communities.
History classes can get a bad rap, and sometimes for good reason. When we were students, we couldn’t help wondering... where were all the ladies at? Why were so many incredible stories missing from the typical curriculum? Enter, Womanica. On this Wonder Media Network podcast we explore the lives of inspiring women in history you may not know about, but definitely should.
Every weekday, listeners explore the trials, tragedies, and triumphs of groundbreaking women throughout history who have dramatically shaped the world around us. In each 5 minute episode, we’ll dive into the story behind one woman listeners may or may not know–but definitely should. These diverse women from across space and time are grouped into easily accessible and engaging monthly themes like Educators, Villains, Indigenous Storytellers, Activists, and many more. Womanica is hosted by WMN co-founder and award-winning journalist Jenny Kaplan. The bite-sized episodes pack painstakingly researched content into fun, entertaining, and addictive daily adventures.
Womanica was created by Liz Kaplan and Jenny Kaplan, executive produced by Jenny Kaplan, and produced by Liz Smith, Grace Lynch, Maddy Foley, Brittany Martinez, Edie Allard, Lindsey Kratochwill, Adesuwa Agbonile, Carmen Borca-Carrillo, Taylor Williamson, Ale Tejeda, Sara Schleede, Abbey Delk, and Alex Jhamb Burns. Special thanks to Shira Atkins.
Original theme music composed by Miles Moran.
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Hello! From Wonder Media Network, I’m Meltem Burak. I’m the host and producer of the podcast, Sesta. We aim to harness the power of arts and culture to foster conversation and build peace in Cyprus. I’ll be your guest host for this month of Womanica.
This month, we’re highlighting Peacebuilders: In times of conflict, these women have stepped in, bringing their creativity and insight to help facilitate peace across the globe.
Today, we’re talking about one of the most important feminists in the Arab world. But for years, her name has been left out of the history books.
Let’s talk about Doria Shafik.
Doria Shafik was born in 1908, into a household of strong women. She grew up in a middle-class, Muslimhome that looked out over the Nile river.
Doria went to an elementary school run by French missionaries. But when she graduated, she realized that girls weren’t allowed to pursue any further education. That was no problem for Doria. It turned out she didn’t need a teacher. She studied and took the exams herself. She earned some of the top scores in Egypt – much to the embarrassment of those teachers who refused her a seat in their classes.
Doria’s academic skills caught the attention of Huda el-Shaarawi, an upper class woman who’d created the Egyptian Feminist Union. Huda helped Doria get a government scholarship to study philosophy at the Sorbonne, in Paris.
When Doria was 26 years old and home in Egypt for the summer, she decided to do something no Muslim woman had done before: she entered the Miss Egypt beauty competition. The public was scandalized, but Doria was determined. She’d been working hard on building up her intellectual side – which she saw as masculine. And this was a chance to express her feminine side. Out of fifty contestants and as many as twelve hours of walking and performing… Doria earned the spot as first runner up.
After the pageant, she returned to her intellectual pursuits. In 1940, she earned her PhD. She assumed she was a shoe-in to become a professor – it was her greatest dream. But Egypt’s national university refused her a position. Doria’s feminine modernity, and her middle-class status proved to be too much for the dean.
Doria managed to find her way into public life regardless. In 1948, she founded Daughter of the Nile – a feminist journal and organization. Their goal? Educating and organizing all women – no matter their social status.
By the 1950s, Egypt was embroiled in protests and unrest. Egypt was fighting for independence from British rule. And Doria’s goals became more political. She decided protesting in the streets might help move the needle.
On February 19th, 1951, Doria gathered a crowd of 1,500 women, at the American University of Cairo. She called it, “a feminist congress.” But it was more than just a gathering – it was an army. They marched from the American University in Cairo along the main street.
As one, they stormed into the Egyptian parliament building. For more than four hours, Doria and her comrades demonstrated loudly and shut down the legislature.
“We are here by the force of our right!” she shouted to the room of shocked men. “Our meeting today is not a congress but a parliament. A true one! That of women.”
This army of women didn’t relent until the politicians agreed to one of their demands: the right of women to vote and hold office.
In reality, that right wouldn’t be granted for another 6 years. And Doria and her feminist congress the occupation ended, life for Egyptian women went back to the way it had been for years.
So, Doria and her union continued organizing women and providing educational and financial services. And they didn’t stop their political action.
In1952, Doria led a paramilitary arm of the Daughter of the Nile to the Barclays Bank. Armed and uniformed, the group surrounded the building and shut it down – it was a symbol of colonialist rule. Despite the uniforms, the protest was peaceful – the crowd they attracted was not.
When the Egyptian monarchy fell, Doria hoped it would ignite a “renaissance for women.”But even as Egypt won its independence, women’s rights remained limited.
In 1954, Doria began her most radical stand for women’s rights. She went on a hunger strike. Doria was taking a stand – the committee to write Egypt’s new constitution included exactly zero women. She did not want to be governed by a document created without representation.
After 10 days, Doria was hospitalized. She’d earned attention from activists around the world. And the acting Egyptian president was feeling the pressure. He agreed that women should be given full political rights.
But soon, Gamal Nasser took power in Egypt. And once again, Doria’s hopes for a feminist rebirth in Egypt were dashed. Nasser saw Doria as a threat. He put her under house arrest, called her a traitor, and turned her allies against her.
Doria was a woman who had so much fight in her. And it might seem a bit odd that we’re talking about someone like her, during a month dedicated to peace builders. But I think women like Doria challenge our ideas of what it means to make peace – in a good way. Peace isn’t settling, or accepting injustices. Peace is about equality, and fairness. And often, you can only ever achieve that if you’re willing to actually fight for it.
Doria was willing to fight for it, but the constant struggle took its toll. After years of social isolation, she died by suicide in 1975.
All month, we’re talking about peacebuilders. For more information, find us on Facebook and Instagram @womanicapodcast.
Special thanks to co-creators Jenny and Liz Kaplan, for having me as a guest host.
Talk to you tomorrow!