Rahil Ata

Rahil Ata (1826 – 1894) was a teacher and translator who was the wife of the leading writer and scholar Butrus Bustani. She is known to be the "wife and mother of the Nahda (awakening) movement" which was developed by Bustani. Ata played a significant role in the formation of the ideals of domestic love and equality supported by the movement. She was also active in the establishment and management of the National School in Beirut. It was the first educational institution which adopted a secular program in the Ottoman Syria. Ata was a model for her daughters who all received education. Ata died in 1894.