Tsehai Twehadiso

A pioneering Ethiopian educator who founded the first girls' school in her country and championed women's rights in the early 20th century

Early Life and Vision

Tsehai Twehadiso (1890-1970) was born in Addis Ababa during a time when female education was virtually nonexistent in Ethiopia. Despite societal barriers, she learned to read and write through informal education provided by her father. Her vision of empowering women through education led her to establish Getatchew Mesfin Girls' School in 1928 - Ethiopia's first institution dedicated to female education.

Legacy in Education

By 1935, her school had grown to accommodate 300 students, teaching not only literacy but also vocational skills like weaving and tailoring. During the Italian occupation of Ethiopia (1936-1941), she continued operating the school secretly, using it as a refuge for displaced families. Her efforts laid the groundwork for Ethiopia's modern educational system, with over 50% female enrollment in primary schools today directly traceable to her initiatives.

International Recognition

In 1952, she became the first African woman to address the United Nations on women's issues, advocating for global educational equity. Her memoir My Life for Ethiopia's Women (published posthumously in 1985) remains a primary source on early 20th century Ethiopian social reform. The Tsehai Foundation, established in 2003, continues her work through scholarships and teacher training programs across East Africa.