Medicine
‘Aishah bint al-Jayyar
A physician of northern Morocco known for her knowledge of medicines and treatments.
A shared heritage
The stories
Women who helped shape our world.
Explore the stories at the heart of the 1001 Women global initiative. Imagine these scholars, healers, writers, educators and leaders becoming familiar names in classrooms worldwide, and their achievements opening new possibilities for the next generation.
Begin with a story
A legacy with many voices.
Women contributed to knowledge and public life during the Golden Age of Muslim civilisation and across the centuries. This collection introduces a selection of those lives, from medicine and mathematics to poetry, education and leadership.
The missing chapter
Education
Fatimah al-Fihriyyah
A philanthropist remembered for her role in establishing a major centre of learning in Fez.
Literature
Walladah bint al-Mustakfi
A poet-princess of Córdoba remembered for poetry and literary gatherings.
Jurisprudence
Fatimah al-Samarqandiyyah
A jurist and legal authority whose judgement was sought by scholars and rulers.
Explore the collection
Discover the women and their achievements.
Browse 26 introductory profiles from our current public collection. Each is a starting point for discovering a wider history of learning, creativity and contribution.
26 stories
Maryam al-‘Ijliyyah
An astrolabe maker connected to the scientific culture of medieval Aleppo.
Lubna of Córdoba
A mathematician, secretary and scholar associated with the intellectual world of Al-Andalus.
Al-Shifa’ bint ‘Abdillah
A healer, teacher and early figure in public administration in Medina.
Fatimah al-Fihriyyah
A philanthropist remembered for her role in establishing a major centre of learning in Fez.
Shuhdah bint al-Ibari
A scholar and calligrapher whose teaching connected generations of students.
Zubaydah bint Ja‘far
A patron remembered for major public works and philanthropy.
Sutaytah al-Mahamali
A Baghdadi jurist remembered for her knowledge of mathematics and inheritance calculations.
Bijeh al-Kermaniyyah
A learned woman of Kerman associated with astronomy, mathematics and poetry.
Umm al-Hasan bint Abi Ja‘far
A physician, poet and Qur’an reciter from the region of Granada.
Zaynab of Banu Awd
A physician remembered for treating wounds and eye conditions.
Nusaybah bint al-Harith
A companion remembered for caring for the sick and wounded during early Muslim expeditions.
Umm Asiyah
A skilled midwife who served the Tulunid royal household in Egypt.
Fatimah al-Samarqandiyyah
A jurist and legal authority whose judgement was sought by scholars and rulers.
Karimah al-Marwaziyyah
A renowned Hadith scholar in Makkah whose students travelled from far away to study with her.
Nafisah bint al-Hasan
A respected scholar and philanthropist whose learning attracted leading figures of her time.
Khadijah bint Sahnun
A jurist and mufti of Qayrawan whose legal opinions were widely sought.
Zaynab bint al-Kamal
A major Hadith scholar in Damascus who taught generations of prominent students.
Walladah bint al-Mustakfi
A poet-princess of Córdoba remembered for poetry and literary gatherings.
Al-Khansa’
One of the most celebrated poets of early Arabic literature.
Arwa bint Ahmad al-Sulayhiyyah
A ruler of Yemen remembered for political leadership and public patronage.
Shajarat al-Durr
A major political figure who ruled Egypt during a pivotal period.
Fatimah bint al-Aqra’
A distinguished Baghdadi calligrapher trusted to write important diplomatic correspondence.
Padishah Khatun
A ruler of Kerman who was also associated with poetry and calligraphy.
‘Aishah al-Ba‘uniyyah
A scholar, author and poet whose works explored spirituality, knowledge and devotion.
‘Aishah bint al-Jayyar
A physician of northern Morocco known for her knowledge of medicines and treatments.
Umm al-Darda’ al-Sughra
A respected jurist, teacher and Hadith scholar associated with Damascus and Jerusalem.
A continuing enquiry
The research behind the stories.
1001 Women draws on a decade of research into more than 300 women. As that work grows towards 1001 documented lives, our public collection will continue to develop. The number in the initiative’s name expresses that continuing ambition.
The historical foundation is the research and sourcebook developed by the Foundation for Science, Technology and Civilisation (FSTC). The sourcebook supports the wider 1001 Women initiative, which brings these histories to audiences through planned books, exhibitions, learning resources and digital storytelling. Through accessible storytelling and planned educational experiences, the public initiative aims to give these achievements a lasting place in schools, mainstream media and public understanding worldwide.
These short introductions give an overview of each woman’s contribution. Names may appear in different transliterations, and the surviving detail varies between lives. The illustrations are artistic interpretations.
Read about the initiative and its research, or explore the changes we hope these stories can inspire.
From earlier 1001 Inventions work
Heritage brought to life.
Illustration and interpretive exhibition displays from earlier 1001 Inventions work show some of the ways history can reach new audiences. The figures are artistic interpretations of the past.
Select a photograph to explore the collection.
The next chapter
Help these stories reach further.
Help make these women’s achievements part of everyday learning and public life, and inspire young people to imagine the contributions they could make.