Jehan Sadat

Jehan Sadat, a dedicated humanitarian, women's freedom fighter, and equal-rights supporter, has devoted her life to helping her people. Jehan was the first lady of Egypt, a mother of four, a loving wife who helped her husband, Anwar Sadat, in his struggle for peace; she was an advocate of his message. She is a college professor, widow to an assasinated husband and a beautiful woman. Above all, she is a heroine to the Egyptian people.

Jehan is the daughter of a British Christian mother and an Egyptian Muslim father, and was raised in a conventional home. She was born in 1933 in Cairo, Egypt. When she was only 16, she fell in love with and married a revolutionary, Anwar Sadat, who was 15 years older than she. Anwar was a close friend to President Nassar and when he died unexpectedly, Anwar had the opportunity to succeed him. Despite a lot of struggle and opposition, he secured the presidency of Egypt.

At the age of 41, Jehan returned to school to get her degree. She was the first wife of an Egyptian president to have her picture in the newspaper, and the first to travel outside of her country. She abolished the divorce laws that ruined women's chances to start new lives for themselves. Then, Jehan helped to set up village cooperatives for peasant women.

Among Jehan Sadat's many charitable accomplishments is the Talla Society, which was created as an emancipation, education and training support center. It schools women in handicrafts and helps pay the tuition for almost 1,000 university and secondary-school students. She campaigned for feminist causes. When many of the war veterans were wounded during Egypt's war with Israel, Jehan helped nurse them back to health. She established a city with a sole purpose to provide a place for disabled war veterans to live with their families. She contributed to rebuilding the Kasr El Einy Hospital.

"The primary road to success is action, action and more action."

She supported her husband, even when he was constantly ridiculed and criticized. She was by his side on Oct. 6, 1981, when he was assassinated by right-wing fundamentalists during a parade. Jehan Sadat went on to write an autobiography detailing her experiences as the first lady of Egypt. She has not given up on her and her husband's mission and is still spreading their message. She is a genuine hero.