May Ziade

A Lebanese feminist scholar who pioneered women's education and intellectual discourse in the Arab world

May Ziade (1896–1941) was a Lebanese-Palestinian intellectual and feminist whose contributions revolutionized women's roles in Arab society. Born to a Palestinian father and Egyptian mother, she became fluent in Arabic, French, and English from an early age. In 1913 at age 17, she established Cairo's Cultural Center, hosting literary salons that attracted prominent figures like Taha Hussein and Tawfiq al-Hakim. Her weekly Al-Majallat journal (1920–1941) became a platform for feminist discourse, featuring articles advocating women's education and political participation. Ziade's 1923 lecture "The New Woman in the Arab World" challenged traditional gender roles, arguing for women's right to intellectual and professional autonomy. Despite being blind from 1925, she continued her activism through correspondence courses and published over 20 books including Women's Rights in Islam. Her legacy is preserved in the May Ziade Cultural Foundation, promoting women's leadership in MENA countries.