Today is Emirati Women’s Day, and we would like to take the opportunity to shine a light on these hard-working women. Not only have they accomplished a great deal in their own lives, they have succeeded in upholding the UAE’s character for reaching above and beyond! These are but a few names on the ever-growing list of inspirational women we have nothing but praise for.
1. Thuraya Hamad Al Zaabi – First Emirati Paralympics Athlete
Always an avid sport fan, Thuraya Hamad Al Zaabi actively participated in basketball and volleyball in her younger years. Truly demonstrating how to make sweet lemonade out of the lemons life gives you, Al Zaabi didn’t let the stroke that happened to her at age 29 leaving her entire left side paralysed, define her. After years of training and rehabilitation, Al Zaabi became the first Emirati woman to compete in the Paralympic Games in Beijing in 2008 and emerged victorious bagging two gold medals in javelin and shot put, during the 2010 Asian Games in China.
2. Her Excellency Dr. Aisha bin Bishr – Director General of the Smart Dubai Office
HE Dr. Aisha bin Bishr is instrumental in the process of transforming Dubai into a Smart City, through embracing innovation and technology to improve the lives of the citizens. This has resulted in devising more efficient routes through GPS for ambulances, and McDonald’s delivery scooters. She leads the Smart Dubai initiative and we are truly inspired by the integral grit and perseverance portrayed by this strong Emirati woman to make Dubai a better place through incorporating the powerful tool that is technology, to improve standards of living.
3. Alia Al Mansoori – Aims to be the UAE’s First Astronaut
The UAE is the first country other than the US to host the ‘Genes in Space’ competition, and Al Mansoori, a young 15-year-old Emirati from Dubai, was awarded first place for her scientific space experiment. A role model to young girls everywhere proving that age is but a number, when you’re attempting to reach for the stars (pun intended) and achieve your dreams. Al Mansoori was able to visit Florida, USA and witness the launch of Falcon 9, her very own experiment.
4. Dr Shayma Al Fawwaz – Emirati Food Entrepreneur
Dr Shayma Al Fawwaz is a genetic scientist and the vice president of healthcare at Mubadala, but in 2013 she went off to start up Gossip the brand – which is the gourmet, Emirati-inspired Gossip Café and Desserts, and an event management arm. A classic example of a brave female entrepreneur who was recognised for her efforts and received the Mohammed Bin Rashid Award for Young Business Leaders for Best Female Entrepreneur. Gossip, Al Fawwaz’s brand, works with local charitable initiatives including selling Dumyé dolls – for every doll purchased, one is gifted to an orphan. Al Fawwaz teaches us a valuable lesson on how we can help others while simultaneously helping ourselves.
5. Elham Al Qasimi – First Arab Female to Reach The North Pole
Soaring to incredible new heights is this extraordinary woman: Elham Al Qasimi. She became the first UAE national and Arab female to reach the North Pole, after a three-week ski expedition in 2010. She went on to carry the Olympic torch at the London 2012 Olympics and has now ventured out into entrepreneurship. Her more recent work lead to the creation of The Natural Laundry Company, which provides a natural biodegradable alternative to traditional toxic dry cleaning.
6. Mariam Al Mansouri – First Female Fighter Pilot in the U.A.E
Al-Mansoori defied the odds, and became the first women to take to the skies in the U.A.E Air Force and currently flies her F-16 Fighting Falcon. Locally crowned “Lady Liberty”, this woman has shown us how far datermination and passion can take you, and is a role model for young women everywhere!
7. Nouf Al Afifi – First Emirati To Become An Air-Traffic Controller
Shattering the glass ceiling in a profession where gender inequality issues are yet to be resolved, Nouf Al Afifi has become the first Emirati air-traffic controllers when she passed the General Civil Aviation Authority’s extended training programme in 2011, and has been working at the Sheikh Zayed Air Navigation Centre ever since. Thriving in a field dominated by males, Al Afifi is an inspiration to us all.
8. Aisha Alkhaja – Emirati ‘Momtrepreneur’
Aisha Alkhaja is the founder and creator of Little Wren, an online boutique designated specifically for the modern family. This bright mind created her brand after noticing a gap in the market of e-commerce for family-themed brands. Little Wren curates a number of independent brands and gives families a wider selection for the products they wish to purchase. Alkhaja developed this business idea out of her own personal experience of being a mother, hence claiming the title ‘Momtrepreneur’. Balancing motherhood and a successful business venture, Alkhaja is truly demonstrating how women can have it all.
9. Amani Al Hosani – First Female Emirati Nuclear Scientist
Amani Al Hosani began her career working in oil industry, however she was wise enough to shift into nuclear energy, as she believed it would have a greater role in the future of the UAE, as well as globally. She went on to become the UAE’s first female nuclear scientist in 2012, and was instrumental in the UAE taking the lead and launching the first nuclear plant in the Arab World. Her expertise includes designing nuclear reactors and analytic sciences for safety, to name a few. An important lesson to take away from this brilliant women is, being able to recognise when better opportunities come along and taking that leap of faith. Like Al Hosani, we must believe in ourselves and work hard to see our dreams through.
10. Alia Al Shamsi – Award-winning Emirati Artist
Alia Al Shamsi, an Emirati/Italian author has broken down a lot of stereotypes within the field of photojournalism, being an Emirati and being a woman! But she did not stop there. She has gone on to win several awards including EDAAD Scholarship 2007, British Council Cultural Leadership International 2010 and 2011 Emirates Woman Artist of the Year. A woman of many talents, she has also published a book titled Alayah.
She has collaborated with award-winning delivery service, Deliveroo to create some women-empowering illustrations on decorative art magnets to commemorate this Emirati Women’s Day.
These magnets will be gifted to all Deliveroo customers starting August 28th from select restaurant partners.
Wishing all you beautiful ladies out there, a very happy Emirati Women’s Day, from all of us here at Cosmo.Â