Sa'id, Aminah as-

▪ 1996

      Egyptian journalist and writer (b. 1914, Cairo, Egypt—d. Aug. 13, 1995, Cairo), was one of her country's leading feminists and was a founder (1954) and editor (1954-69) of Hawa` ("Eve"), the first women's magazine to be published in Egypt. Throughout her entire career she worked fervently to fight injustice and to promote the cause of women's rights. At the age of 14, Sa'id joined the youth section of the Egyptian Feminist Union, and in 1931 she became one of the first women to attend the Egyptian University (now Cairo University). After graduation (1935) she joined the staff of the journal al-Musawwar and began writing columns, work that she would continue until shortly before her death. She became that publication's editor in 1973, and in 1976 she became chair of the publishing group that produced it, a position she held until 1985. Sa'id also served in such capacities as secretary-general of the Pan-Arab League Women's Union (1958-69) and vice president of the Egyptian Union of Journalists (1959-70). She also was Egypt's representative at a number of international conferences. Among the awards she received were the First Order of the Republic (1975), the Universal Star (1979), and the National Arts Award (1982).

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