Middle Eastern Descent Archives

May Arif Kaftan-Kassim

May Arif Kaftan (January 14, 1928–July 23, 2020), also known by the surname Kaftan-Kassim, worked at the Harvard College Observatory from 1953 to approximately 1962. Her work was focused on radio astronomy.

Dr Evelyn Abdalah Menconi

Lebanese-American cultural ambassador in Boston

Labeebee Hanna Saquet

Served as a bridge between Arab Americans and the general public, beginning in 1930 when she directed Arabian Nights, a Boston Syrian Tercentenary celebration presented at Symphony Hall.

Evelyn Shakir

Evelyn Shakir was a scholar, author, and professor specializing in Arab American literature.

Yasmeen Ghauri

Yasmeen Ghauri has since paved the way for women of color in the modelling industry.

Sabrene Odeh

Palestinian-American activist

Humaira Abid

Humaira Abid is a contemporary artist who takes a cross-cultural approach in examining women’s roles, relationships and taboos.

Farnaz Fassihi

Iranian-American journalist who, for over 20 years, has covered all sorts of wars and uprisings across the Middle East, in places like Iran, Afghanistan, Israel, the West Bank, Turkey, Syria, and more. She is the United Nations Bureau chief for the New York Times and was a senior writer and war correspondent for the Wall Street Journal for 17 years, based in the Middle East.

Rashida Tlaib

As a life-long Detroiter, and one of the first Muslim-Americans, as well as the first Palestinian-American woman, ever elected to the United States Congress, Tlaib advocates for issues that affect the working-class.

Sonita Alizadeh

At the age of 16, Sonita Alizadeh found out she was to be sold into marriage. Propelled to do something by this experience and the experiences of other women around her, the young Afghani woman turned to rap music. Alizadeh now uses her music and her convictions to end child marriage and to fight for the rights of women and girls all over the world.