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Tewhida Ben Sheikh
Tawhida Ben Cheikh, 1936.jpg
Tewhida in 1936
Born January 2, 1909
Died December 6, 2010(2010-12-06) (aged 101)
Education School of Medicine in Paris

Tewhida Ben Sheikh (also known as Tawhida Ben Cheikh) was a very important doctor from Tunisia. She was born on January 2, 1909, in Tunis, Tunisia, and passed away on December 6, 2010. She made history by becoming the first modern woman doctor in Tunisia and all of North Africa. She also helped a lot with women's health.

Her Early Life and Education

Aemna1930
Tunisian students in Paris, 1930s.

Tewhida Ben Sheikh grew up in Tunis, Tunisia. She went to Tunisia's first public school for Muslim girls. This school taught her many subjects, including Arabic, French, and the Quran. It also taught modern topics.

After finishing school in Tunisia, Tewhida wanted to study medicine. She traveled to Paris, France, to attend the School of Medicine. In 1936, she successfully earned her medical degree. When she returned to Tunis, local doctors held a special dinner to celebrate her achievement.

At that time, Tunisia was a French colony. Tewhida came from an important but traditional family. Her mother, who was a widow, was not sure about letting her go to France for studies. However, Tewhida's teachers and a doctor named Etienne Burnet convinced her mother. They saw how smart Tewhida was and how much promise she showed.

Her Work as a Doctor

Tawhida Ben Cheikh
Tewhida Ben Sheikh worked to help families plan.

Dr. Ben Sheikh chose to specialize in gynecology, which is the study of women's health. She led a special clinic for women in Tunisia. She was also a strong supporter of family planning, helping women make choices about their health and families.

Her Lasting Impact

Dr. Tewhida Ben Sheikh left a big mark on history.

  • In March 2020, her picture was put on the new 10-dinar banknote. This is the money used in Tunisia.
  • On March 27, 2021, Google honored her with a special Google Doodle. This showed her importance to people around the world.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Tewhida Ben Sheikh para niños

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