It’s almost painful to see 3 out of the 100 women on BBC’s 100 Women are Lebanese, when Lebanon ranked among the worst countries in terms of gender equality (135/142), check out BlogBaladi for more information on that report.
But, it’s also amazing that 3% of the BBC’s 100 Women list of 2014, are Lebanese. It’s also doubly amazing because one of them is a scientist, and a good friend, Hind Hobeika!
Hind Hobeika
I remember when Hind pitched her idea of goggles with sensors in them to monitor heart rate and other realtime data (as if you were on a treadmill) for the Stars of Science show on TV.
I remember how we all voted for her. I also remember a year later, sitting in a restaurant in San Francisco’s Market Street with another amazing Lebanese woman, Jessica Semaan, and finding out how Hind’s invention was ready to go into mass-production.
Now, Hind’s Instabeat goggles are poised to go on sale in 53 different countries around the world.
Proud of you Hind, words cannot begin to explain. Here’s a TED talk by Hind
Bahia Shehab
Bahia changed the entire meaning of the word “No” in Arabic, “لا”. No, and a thousand times no.
No is a very important word for an Arab in the past few years.
No to dictators. No to oppression. No to inequality. No to sexism. No to extremism.
Bahia’s work manifested itself on the walls of Cairo, and the series of “No”s became a regular fixture in Tahrir Square and other notable public spaces where they embodied the many horrifying incidents in Egypt’s tumultuous revolution and post-revolution troubles.
Remember the blue bra? Watch Bahia’s awesome TED talk to jog your memory.
Bushra El Turk
I adore classical music, especially ones with a twist. Bushra’s masterpieces are a trip in themselves, and while writing this, I’m listening to her website’s streaming music.
Often, my preoccupation with science and technology makes me forget for a second how important and powerful art can be, and for this Lebanese-Egyptian, it sounds pretty darn good.
Check out Bushra’s website to know more, and here’s a video of her work behind the scenes
Adonis Diaries 