Suhayr al-Qalamawi

Sahier al-Qalamawi (; July 20, 1911 – May 4, 1997) was a significant literary figure and politician from Egypt who shaped Arabic writing and culture through her writing, feminist activism, and advocacy. She was one of the first women to attend Cairo University and in 1941 became the first Egyptian woman to earn her Master of Arts Degree and PhD for her work in Arabic literature. After graduating, she was employed by the university as their first woman lecturer. Al-Qalamawi was also one of the first women to hold a number of chief positions including chairperson of the Arabic Department at Cairo University, president of the Egyptian Feminist Union, and president of the League of Arab Women University Graduates. Her writings include two volumes of short stories, ten critical studies, and many translations from world literature. Aḥādīth jaddatī (My Grandmother's Tales) was published in 1935.

Biography

Early life Sahier al-Qalamawi was born on July 20, 1911, in Cairo, Egypt and lived there throughout her life. She was born to a family that took pride in educating its female members and therefore she was able to take advantage of her father's extensive library of works at an early age. Exposure to authors like Taha Hussein, Rifa'a al-Tahtawi, and Ibn Iyas helped advance her literary talent and shape her voice as a writer.

As a child during the Egyptian Revolution of 1919, al-Qalamawi grew up with influences from the Egyptian women at the time including legendary feminist Huda Sha'arawi and nationalist figure Safia Zaghoul. These women and other feminists at the time focused on moving feminist debate into the streets to create a more far reaching movement. This goal influenced some of al-Qalamawi's feminist ideals.

Education In 1928, al-Qalamawi graduated the American College for girls and intended to study medicine like her father at Cairo University. However, upon receiving a rejection, she was encouraged by her father to instead specialize in Arabic Literature. The grandmother extracts morals from her recollection of events and draws comparisons between the past and present, often favoring the past. Al-Qalamawi suggests through this work that old wives’ tales and grandmothers’ bedtime stories can contain a deep feminist message.

Awards Al-Qalamawi received awards and recognition for her literary work, leadership, and advocacy. These awards include: Award of the Arabic Language Academy, for her Ph.D. thesis on "Arabian Nights", 1945. State Merit Award in Youths’ Literature, she was the first woman to obtain it 1955. State Encouragement Prize, 1955. State Merit Award in Literature, shared with Dr. Shawki Deif, 1963. Nasser's Award, dedicated by the former Soviet Union, 1976. State Merit Award in Literature, 1977. Medal of Appreciation, 1977. Medal of the Republic, first class, 1978. Medal of Achievement, 1978. State Appreciation Prize for Literature Honorary Doctorate from the American University in Cairo, (AUC), 1987. In addition, she was honored by the Cairo International Book Fair in 1993 for serving as the president of the General Egyptian Book Organization. In 1955, she was honored by the Cairo Governorate for Egyptian Women's Day.