Noura Fakhreddine

Pioneered women's education in Saudi Arabia during the mid-20th century

Noura Fakhreddine (1920-1990) was a visionary educator and social reformer who transformed women's access to education in Saudi Arabia. Born into a merchant family in Jeddah, she defied societal norms by establishing the first girls' school in 1945 at age 25, which later became the model for national education policies. Her innovative curriculum integrated modern subjects with Islamic studies, creating a balanced educational framework still used today. In 1963, she founded the Saudi Women's College of Education, training over 5,000 teachers. Her advocacy led to the 1970 royal decree mandating compulsory education for girls, directly influencing Saudi Arabia's current 98% female literacy rate. Noura's legacy is preserved at the Noura Educational Foundation, which continues her work in STEM education for girls.