By Haya Nashar and Vana Sekian | Staff Writer
In collaboration with the co-education centennial initiative, the PSPA Society devised the ‘100 Years of Women at AUB’ event to call attention to the struggle women faced in their path to higher education and discuss the continuous struggles faced by women today. A panel of prominent figures in the field of journalism, politics, and women’s rights convened.
Dr. Zeinab Mirza provided a brief overview of the history of women at AUB. It was in 1905 when women were first given the chance to be admitted into nursing school. This preceded the decision for coeducation in 1921, though not entirely. It took more than two decades later for women to be completely accepted into AUB’s academic realm, with the opportunity to enter any program of their choice. These advances allowed for women like Roula Douglas; a journalist, AUB graduate, and a professor to follow their dreams. Roula Douglas emphasized that her time at AUB granted her the greatest gift of all, the skill of critical thinking. This allowed her to think rationally, and most importantly, to think freely. In the opinion of Roula Douglas, education is a source of liberation. Liberation from societal norms imposed on women. Education is an important aspect of one’s life as it can shape an individual’s personality, career, and view of life. AUB took the first step towards change in 1905, however, the need for change did not end there.
[Figure 2] photo by Miriam Boulos.
Though there has been a progression in women’s rights, women are far from free amid the shackles of inequality. As Roula Douglas emphasized, women are not yet allowed to open bank accounts for their underaged children in Lebanon, without the consent of their husbands. In addition to gender, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, and race are several of the innumerable layers of oppression that are depicted in the eyes of intersectional feminists such as Lina Abou Habib. To eliminate these layers, Lina Abou Habib necessitates a degree of change. Where change only starts with the acknowledgment of the prevailing injustices. The contribution of feminists is much more than what they are credited for. By the opinion of Lina Abou Habib, we owe thanks to feminists for things as simple as wearing trousers, or even the ability to express ourselves.
[Figure 3] photo by Miriam Boulos.
November 24 marks 100 years from AUB’s advancement in providing women with better opportunities. Its significance is not easily describable in an utterance of words. The struggle that women had to
succumb to reach this point is something we may not ever understand. Because of their suffering, women are now able to set foot on campus and strive for greatness. In the words of Roula Douglas, women can be whoever and whatever they want to be. She concluded with a message to all women: find your passion, believe in yourself, you are enough.