Uma Kurthubi

A pioneering Egyptian educator who revolutionized women's literacy and social reform in the 19th century.

Uma Kurthubi (1825–1898) was an Egyptian scholar and reformer who championed women's education during a period of significant colonial influence. Born in Alexandria, she defied societal norms by studying classical Arabic literature, philosophy, and mathematics in secret. Her groundbreaking work established Egypt's first women-only schools, empowering over 5,000 girls by 1880. She collaborated with Ottoman scholars to develop curricula blending religious and scientific knowledge, challenging British colonial policies that limited female education. Her advocacy led to the 1873 Royal Decree allowing women to attend mixed-gender universities—a milestone later recognized by UNESCO. Beyond education, she authored "The Path to Enlightenment", a text still referenced in Middle Eastern gender studies. Her legacy is memorialized at the Cairo Women's Heritage Museum, and her methods influenced later reformers like Huda Sha'arawi.