Women's History Month: Pharaohs & Patriots - The Women Who Took Egypt From Empire To State
With over 5,000 years of history under its collective belt, Egypt is a nation whose foundations run deep. Throughout its existence as a recognized country, Egypt has been a kingdom, an empire, a country, and, more recently, a modern nation-state. Throughout all of these phases, it has been a place where women can do incredible things - but not without paying what is often a heavy price.
This love-hate relationship between power and gender has given Egypt a uniquely diverse legacy that continues to unfold in our current era. To understand this legacy, you need only to take a look at the vibrant, courageous, and controversial women who have (often literally) left their mark on the land.
Pharaoh HatShepSut: The Ruler Who Was Almost Forgotten
If you stood beneath the firm gaze dispensed by most of Pharaoh Hatshepsut’s statues and icons, you would not realize you were being looked upon by the stony eyes of a powerful, stubborn, and boundary-breaking woman-turned-King.
As the first female ruler to acquire the full powers of Pharaoh in Egypt’s dynastic history, Pharaoh Hatshepsut was determined to - literally - solidify her image as a strong, i.e. masculine, ruler to her people. In a world unequivocally run by men up until that point, this meant that most of her depictions show her dressed as a male King, with a false beard and a rippling physique.
Rare statuary depicting Pharaoh Hatshepsut as female, currently on display at the Metropolitan Museum of Art
Looking at the more anatomically accurate statuary associated with this enigmatic god-Queen, one cannot help but be struck by the reality of her role in an empire that was already thousands of years old by the time she took the throne. Pharaoh Hatshepsut held that throne for fifteen years and ushered in a prosperous new era for her nation through trade and exploration.
When her stepson came of age and ascended the throne, she did not relinquish her power or title as a divine Pharaoh. She held many titles, from “The Good Goddess Maatkare” to “The God’s Wife.” All of them were representations of her power, wealth, and heavy influence over the lives of her people. It was an influence her stepson and successor attempted to erase after her death in 1458 B.C.
Her legacy is known today thanks to the tireless efforts of archeologists and cultural preservation experts. Hers is one of the few complete examples we have of a royal Egyptian mummy, and she now occupies a place of honor at the Egyptian Museum in Cairo.
Princess Neslishah: The Twice-Exiled Bridge Between Eras
Her Imperial Highness Princess Neslishah was the last fully-recognized Ottoman princess, and her life in Egypt represents a bridge between two major eras of the nation’s long history.
As the last recognized princess of the Imperial Ottomans, Princess Neslishah led a politically volatile life as Egypt transitioned from kingdom to state in the early-to-mid nineteenth century. She was exiled twice, first from Turkey when her grandfather (Sultan Mehmed VI) was ousted as the last Ottoman ruler, then again from Egypt when it became a republic in 1953. Her husband, Prince Muhammed Abdel Monem, was forced to flee the country along with his family when General Gamal Abdel Nasser took power and accused them of treason.
Throughout her often-turbulent life, Princess Neslishah remained a picture of poise, grace, and old-world elegance. Despite the controversy her bloodline represented, Her Highness sought to live a peaceful life free from conflict. She was a source of inspiration as well as emulation for many Egyptian women, and her legacy is important as it represents the bridge between Egypt’s history and its modernity.
When she died in 2012, Princess Neslishah did so on Turkish soil. Her family was able to return to the country in 1957. As a woman caught up in the time between eras, Her Highness encapsulates the lost image of a royal Egyptian woman - strong in times of weakness, with her head held high and her pride intact.
Asmaa Mahfouz: The Spark That Fanned The Flames Of Activism During Egypt’s ‘Arab Spring’ Protests
“Whoever says women shouldn’t go to protests because they will get beaten, let him have some honor and manhood and come with me…”
Ms. Asmaa Mafouz became a symbol of Egypt’s ‘Arab Spring’ when she incited protests against government oppression in a 2011 viral video.
With these words, Asmaa Mahfouz went from unknown activist to political instigator when a video of her encouraging her fellow Egyptians to take to the streets went viral. She is credited with drawing the large crowd that eventually became ground zero for Egypt’s ‘Arab Spring,’ a movement that sought to bring human rights and democracy to the young nation.
Ms. Mahfouz was arrested soon after the video emerged and faced trial in a military court. Thanks to the voices of inspired Egyptians and numerous international activists, she was able to escape this fate and was freed.
Asmaa eventually participated in the Occupy Wallstreet movement here in the United States, and she continues to be an iconic figure that perfectly represents the courageous and defiant voices of Egyptian women - women who refuse to sit down when their oppressors demand it, and who instead stand up and demand change.
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