Ihsan El-Kousy facts for kids

Ihsan El-Kousy (born in 1900) was an amazing Egyptian woman. She made history by becoming the first Muslim woman to graduate from the American University of Beirut (AUB). Her journey shows how important it is to follow your dreams, even when things are tough.

Early Life and Education

Ihsan El-Kousy was born in 1900 in Al Qusea, an old city in central Egypt. Back then, it wasn't common for girls to go to school, and many weren't encouraged to study. But Ihsan was lucky! Her parents and grandparents strongly believed in education. They always encouraged her to read and learn. She grew up surrounded by books, which helped her love for learning grow.

Ihsan studied hard and even earned a PhD in the United Kingdom later on. In 1924, she moved to Lebanon and became the first Muslim woman to attend AUB. She also became the first woman to get a graduate degree from AUB in 1929. To continue her studies, she needed her husband's approval, which she received. After her studies, Ihsan returned to Egypt. She became very active in the Women's Movement, working to help women get more rights and opportunities. She even became the secretary of the Women's Union Society.

Her Time at AUB

When Ihsan first arrived at the American University of Beirut, she found that her English wasn't strong enough for the classes. So, she started as an "auditor." This meant she could attend classes and listen, but she wasn't officially enrolled for a degree.

After her second year, the president of AUB, Mr. Dodge, saw how smart and determined she was. He encouraged her to apply to become a regular student. Ihsan worked hard, passed all her exams in "Education," and earned her bachelor's degree in 1929.

A Career in Education

After graduating, Ihsan returned to Egypt. She was quickly chosen to be the principal of the Sanieh Secondary School, a big responsibility! She stayed there for one year. For the next three years, she was the headmistress of a primary school in Alexandria.

Later, Ihsan spent eight years giving lectures in different secondary schools. She taught subjects like social studies, history, civics (how citizens should act), and ethics (right and wrong).

In 1953, Ihsan became the Dean of the Girls’ Higher Institute for Social Work. This was a university-level school. She was very interested in social work and helped many people. She also helped start and serve on the boards of important groups like the Egyptian Feminist Union and organizations that helped children. Ihsan also served as the vice president of the AUB Alumni Association in Cairo. Her hard work and achievements made a big difference in many parts of Egyptian daily life.

Family Life

Ihsan El-Kousy was married to Ahmad Shakir. He traveled with her from Cairo to Beirut so she could continue her education. It is not known if they had any children.

Inspiring Others

Ihsan El-Kousy truly opened doors for many other girls. She showed them that they could follow their dreams and have successful careers without depending on men. Even after finishing her own education, she kept working to support other girls and women. She joined the Women's Union Society (WUS) and helped start the Women's Students’ Organization (WSO).

She wanted to share her powerful educational experience with all women. Because of her efforts and collaborations, many girls today are getting educated and fighting for their rights. They are now active in fields that were once mostly for men.

Her Views and Activism

Ihsan El-Kousy was not just an educator; she was also a brave activist. She took part in the 1919 revolution against the British occupation in Egypt, alongside her sister Amina El-Kousy.

She was also very active in social causes. As secretary of the Women's Union Association, founded by Hadi Shaarawi, she worked hard for women's development. She fought for women to be recognized for their important role in the community.

Published Works

Ihsan noticed that there were no Arabic books about the philosophy of education in Egypt. This inspired her to translate and summarize a book by John Dewey called “Democracy and Education.” Her Arabic version was published in January 1928.

She also wrote several other books and articles. These include “الرسالة” (The Message), “تطور الأسرة المصرية” (The Development of the Egyptian Family), and “مؤتمر التربية الدولي السابع” (The Seventh International Education Conference). These were published in 1936 and 1941.

Ihsan also translated a book by Bruce Bliven into Arabic, naming it “بناة المستقبل” (Builders of the Future). She wanted Arabs to be able to read the latest news from the West about science and nature. This book was published in an Egyptian library, but the exact date is not known.

Recognition

Ihsan Ahmed El-Kousy is remembered as the first Muslim woman to graduate from the American University of Beirut in 1929. After that, she continued her studies in London. She then began giving lectures on how women should gain their full rights. One of her famous lectures was at the American University in Cairo. The main goal of this lecture was to improve women's status in society. Because of this lecture, many institutions asked Ihsan to speak about women's rights. Ihsan Ahmed El-Kousy also published books that she illustrated, and these were sold in many libraries.

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