Dedicating a single day for women is not very monumental compared to the legacies and superpowers they have. On this year’s women’s day, we had the opportunity to interview 4 inspirationally successful Arab women. Each woman in a different field reflected on the meaning and nature of a successful Arab woman.

 

Arwa Traboulsi

Arwa, a successful business owner who is on a goal to inspire others including women on social media to pursue their goals. The owner/co-founder of the luxurious gym Muv Beirut has inspired her thousands of followers to get in shape and make their health a priority.

This Beirut-based athlete had a lot to share with us on women’s day. A successful woman in Arwa’s eyes is “... someone who is living their true purpose in life, feeling fulfilled, independent, motivated to inspire and create a meaningful impact on the lives of the people around her.”

Arwa credits her success to her mindset “Emptying my mind of tiring thoughts, walking away from strenuous people, staying focused on my goal and believing in my vision has led me to where I am today. And only once the mind is quiet, you can challenge the beliefs you hold about yourself, take control and go beyond your limitations." 

She then talked about the struggles of Arab women in success and how they are bind to domestic normative responsibilities and sometimes fail to accomplish what they aspire. She sees balance as a key factor to do both. She says this is a societal mold somehow imposed on women of which many can’t break out adding, “breaking this mold is doable and we have many examples of successful Arab women showing us that it is doable and not even close to impossible.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Arwa (@arwatmofficial)

 

The business-owner further explained the false stereotype of an emotional woman failing businesses saying, “who said being hard-nosed is what is needed to secure a successful business? Tapping on emotions can inspire creativity, self-awareness, and growth. Which in return builds a successful business and an outstanding team.  I say never be afraid or shy to show emotion, let us embrace it and let it help us grow beyond measure.” Arwa credits social media for extending her passion to her viewers and aiding them in their journey as well.

As for a final piece of advice, Arwa said the following:

“To all successful women, keep thriving, stay in control, empower yourself even more and always be the one who shapes your own destiny. The willingness to learn and move forward is what makes us successful.”

 

Asma ElBadawi

Crediting Asma ElBadawi on the removal of the ban on hijab and religious headwear in FIBA  is essential. Asma is a successful basketball player, a poet, and a motivational speaker. Her work highly revolves around empowering women and ensuring equality and inclusivity for all.

In an interview with Bobolink, Asma opened up about what it means to be a successful woman, and especially a successful Arab woman. She says, “a successful woman to me is a woman who has goals and ambition and is bold enough to pursue them.” She tells us the key factor to her success is studying things that are not generally societal norms, but her passions and insisting on improving her skills throughout her journey.

Asma also opened up about Arab society’s expectations from a woman, and that a woman’s success is highly measured by marriage rather than her career. That is not the case with Asma. Asma never shied away from asking for advice and support from her parents whenever needed, as she knew what goals she had set out for herself.

She wants to stop the narrative that says that all women have the same purpose in life, asserting that “Every woman has her own path that Allah has made especially for her. Defining her success based on someone else's expectations of her will never allow her to be happy with her own achievements.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Asma Elbadawi (@asmaelbadawi)

 

When asked about social media and its influence on her success, Asma confirms that it has exposed her to so many women from all around the world, organizations, and brands that she would not have otherwise been able to work with or be inspired by. Asma then added, “It has also allowed me to have my own voice and spread messages about sports and the different issues we face in society through spoken word poetry and define what a woman is for myself."

Final Advice from the inspiring athlete, poet.

“The message I would give to hard-working women is to find the balance between play and work that works for them. Take time to enjoy sports and family and friends time. Understand that not every opportunity is the right opportunity and do not be afraid to be who you are and say no to anything that does not align with your own values.”

 

Hala Ajam

Hala Ajam, one of the most if not the most iconic makeup artists in the Arab world has cemented herself as the number-one celebrity makeup artist in the Middle East.  A career span of over 3 decades, an iconic stamp in the beauty industry, and a client list of A-list artists have made her one of the most successful makeup artists to date. Celebrities like Maya Diab, Sherine Abdel Wahab, and Haifa Wehbe are among the many artists who continually work with Hala.

Hala told us in an interview that a successful woman is a woman who knows her goals. She’s someone who is ambitious and dedicated to reaching her goals, no matter the obstacles an ambitious woman tries her best to overcome.

Hala credits her determination and hard work for her success. The iconic makeup artist told us that “Many women in the Arab world are successful but not many had support from their families and society. Things are changing nowadays.” She also noted that she would like to see an end to the myth that narrates a cliche narrative which is that a successful woman is a “tomboy” or has gone to fishy or sketchy means to achieve what she has achieved. Basically, Hala affirmed that such misogynistic stereotypes are long expired and evidently baseless.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Hala Ajam (@halaajam)

 

Social media has allowed the already illustrious artist to reach wider audiences. She said social media helped her to reach more countries.

Hala ended her interview with a quick piece of advice for hard-working women and said “Give yourself a break, you deserve it.”

 

Raha Moharrak

Do you know what’s monumental? Monumental achievement is when you become “the first” to do something, especially “the first” of your country, let alone while combatting and crossing all obstacles imposed on you. In 2013, Raha Moharrak became the first Saudi woman to reach Mount Everest.

Raha told us it is difficult for her to define a successful woman because it is a relative concept. She said, “a successful person, not necessarily a woman would be happy, content, and balanced. A lot of people assume success just being a “perfect” job. In reality, it is in the health, and the balance of the mind and the heart.”

She sees “discipline” as a key factor for success. She said one must have the drive and a “good sense of time, commitment, and priorities.” Further delving into the meaning of success, Raha thinks that every society has presumptions about a successful person/woman, the hardest in the Arab world being the impediment of “balancing between family-culture and individuality” However, Raha believes a woman should not be in a position to choose one or the other, a woman can be holding on to her culture and her rebellious side simultaneously.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Living Curiously (@rahamoharrak)

 

The main myth which Raha wishes to eradicate would be the thought of women having limits. She believes that men and women are not the same but are “equal” she emphasized “equal” twice. She said, “women having limited capabilities is an absolute fallacy.” Raha credits social media for having a massive impact on her, and others’ success. Social media “gives you charge of your PR, it makes you in charge of your voice and what you put out there without needing a third party,” said the ambitious woman.

For a final piece of advice, Raha addressed all ambitious people, not just women, and insisted that “failure is not shameful.” Raha continued, “Nothing comes to you, everything needs work, effort, timing, and patience.”