Zubeida Rahimtoola facts for kids

Zubeida Habib Rahimtoola (born Zubeida Sultan Chinoy) was an important social worker and activist. She was born in Mumbai (then called Bombay), India, on August 12, 1917. She mostly worked in Karachi, Pakistan. Zubeida was the president of the All-India Muslim League in the United Kingdom. She also helped start the All Pakistan Women's Association. For her amazing work, she received the Sitara-e-Khidmat (Star of Service) award from President Ayub Khan. She passed away on July 5, 2015.

About Zubeida's Life

Zubeida Chinoy married Habib Rahimtoola in 1935. After her marriage, she became very active in helping Muslim women. She worked to support them in British India. Later, after Pakistan was created, she started many projects. These projects mainly focused on helping women get an education.

Zubeida's father, Sultan Chinoy, was a businessman. He was also the Mayor of Bombay from 1938 to 1939. Zubeida and Habib Rahimtoola had three children together. They had two sons and one daughter.

Her Early Life and Work

Zubeida Rahimtoola went to school at the Convent of Jesus and Mary in Mumbai. She then finished her high school at the Queen Mary's School. After that, she studied at Elphinstone College. There, she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree.

Zubeida was one of the people who helped create the All Pakistan Women's Association (APWA). When India and Pakistan became separate countries in 1947, Zubeida was living in the United Kingdom. Because of this, she became the first President of APWA in the UK. She was also the first President of Jinnah's All-India Muslim League in the United Kingdom. This was after Pakistan became independent in 1947.

In 1953, Zubeida returned to Pakistan. She continued her important work with APWA. She led groups from the organization to big meetings. These included the Afro-Asia Conferences and trips to China. Zubeida was the President of the Sindh APWA from 1953 to 1954. Then, she became the Vice President of APWA National from 1955 to 1958. She also led the APWA Cottage Industry from 1956 to 1974. Finally, she was the Chairman of Karachi APWA from 1991 to 1997. She also worked as a Secretary at the Pakistan American Cultural Center in Karachi.

Awards and Recognition

Begum Rahimtoola received a special award called the Sitara-e-Khidmat. This means "Star of Service." The President of Pakistan, Ayub Khan, gave her this award in 1960. She earned it for her great work with women's groups in Pakistan. She also helped with laws about families in West Pakistan, which included women's rights.

Her Passing

Zubeida Habib Rahimtoola passed away on July 5, 2015. She was 97 years old. She died in Karachi, Pakistan.