2018 has been an incredible year for women, especially our fellow Egyptian women who’ve been making headlines all over the country, for all the right reasons. As we’re getting ready to welcome a new year, we decided to take a step back with our friends from Women of Egypt and reflect on the Egyptian women who made 2018 extra special. These women have become role-models who broke all the traditional boundaries and set to become examples for, not only Egyptian women, but for all the women of the world. Wonder Woman’s got nothing on us.
Rahma Khaled: The First TV Host With Down Syndrome
Rahma Khaled is an Olympic swimming champion who has always wanted to become a famous TV host. She was offered a job by Egyptian DMC TV channel after she was invited to co-host a live segment on their morning show for the International Day of Persons with Special Needs.
Shaimaa Ali: Founder of Harmonica Matchmaking App
Shaimaa Ali, a former librarian specialist at the Bibliotica Alexandria, preferred to travel the world and build a successful career over the traditional ways of marriage in Egypt. She writes about women issues in the Middle East and always encourages women to “not accept any suitor simply to escape spinsterhood, a delusional social label imposed on them by society.”
Nourhan Refaei: The First Egyptian to Summit Elburs Mountain in Russia and Founder of Hikidz
Nourhan Refaei was a Business Administration major who discovered her passion for hiking when she went on a trip to climb Bab el Donia trail in the Saint Catherine Mountain. For her honeymoon, instead of going on a romantic vacation, the newly-weds headed for the Italian Alps to embark on a hiking journey that would bring them even closer to each other. She is currently the founder of Hikidz, an agency specialized in outdoor activities which targets kids between the ages of 8 and 16.
Yara Shalaby: Professional Female Rally Driver
Yara Shalaby is the first professional female rally driver in Egypt. She entered the world of rally racing four years ago and has already won several races of the 25 she participated in. She is now Egypt’s ambassador to the Women in Motorsports Organization.
Esraa El Bably: First Dentist in the World with Hearing Impairment
Esraa El Bably is the first dentist with a hearing disability to open her own clinic in Sherouk City. Despite all the challenges, she managed to become very successful and become a role model for many women. She chose to study dentistry to try to change the stereotypical perspective that limits people with disabilities to pursue certain professions.
Ghada Wali: The First Egyptian to be Included on Forbes’ “30 Under 30” List
Ghada Wali made it to the Forbes’ ’30 under 30′ list, making her the first ever Egyptian to be mentioned on the list. At only 28, she was chosen as one of the best 100 graphic designers in the world by Typographic Arts, Chicago and won the Granchan competition in Munich, as well as, two Adobe Design Achievement Awards.
Dina Abdel Maksoud: Egyptian Body Builder World Champion
“You have muscles like a boy’s” was the usual comment Dina Abdel Maksoud received by everyone around her but that did not stop her from winning first place and the golden trophy in Ukraine’s bodybuilding competition. The 20 year old, mechanical engineering student received many sports certificates from the Ukrainian Bodybuilding federation such as the ISSA and UBPF. Her dream is to return back to Egypt and help women achieve their dreams without fear of what people might say.
Donia Abdel Aziz: First Female Car Mechanic Instructor in The Arab Academy
After her father refused to let her finish her education, almost killing her dreams of becoming a mechanic, Dina Abdel Aziz decided to stick to what she wanted. Being an avid lover of car mechanics, she trained throughout her college years in car garages and workshops and went on to become the first female car mechanic instructor at the Arab Academy.
Randa El Mahdy: Egypt’s Iron Woman 2018
Randa el Mahdy is a single mom of three kids and the only Egyptian women who competed in this year’s Ironman Barcelona 2018. The Ironman competitions includes a 42 km marathon, 180 km cycling and 3.8 km swimming. She discovered her passion for sports, two years ago and it took her one year to train for the competition.
