Asnaketch Worku

A visionary Ethiopian educator who established the first girls' school in Addis Ababa and championed women's access to education during the early 20th century.

Asnaketch Worku (1905–1975) was an Ethiopian pioneer in women's education and social reform. Born in Harar, she witnessed the limited opportunities for girls in rural Ethiopia and later moved to Addis Ababa to advocate for educational equality. In 1930, she founded the Yefirmech School, the first institution in Ethiopia dedicated to girls' education. Her efforts expanded during Haile Selassie's reign, as she collaborated with missionary groups to build schools across the country. Worku also promoted literacy and health awareness, addressing issues like maternal mortality. Her legacy is celebrated in modern Ethiopian educational policies. Read more here.