Â鶹APP

Flag of Lebanon. Image by Haidar Almoqdad-

Top 10 Most Inspiring Lebanese Women

Empowering women and closing gender gaps worldwide are critical for thriving economies and communities. Therefore, the aim of recognizing prominent women both in the past and present is to give women from very different backgrounds in the country a voice.

It is essential to portray strong women and use their impact to inspire future generations. Thus, this list will cover various topics and sectors, from human rights and the arts to business and politics.

Lebanese men are known for being wise as hell and business savvy. Lebanese women, however, have a wonderfully sexist reputation for merely being beautiful. However, rest assured that there is no shortage of intelligent and inspiring Lebanese women, too.

Lebanese women have worked effortlessly to serve communities and their country in different fields. They have shattered stereotypes and continue to touch on fundamental issues in society.

1. Linda Matar – Activist

Image by Elnajjarjad –

She is one of the most influential Lebanese women who significantly impact our laws and society. An activist for women’s rights for over 60 years in Lebanon and the region, she is deemed one of the first pioneers of the movement for equality.

She is a holder of various awards and honorary positions. She has participated in over 50 Arab and international conferences, including the UN World Conference on Women in Mexico in 1975.

She is one of the first female activists and has been hailed as one of the most influential women in the country. She serves as an inspiration for activism and awareness.

2. Mounira El-Solh – humanitarian

She is deemed one of the most influential women in Lebanon. She is known for her humanitarian endeavors, relentless activism for women’s rights, and her patriotism since her active leadership in the demonstrations that led to LebanonLebanon’sndence in 1943. 

She was the first woman ever to run for Parliament in Lebanon and received many awards.

She is also an advocate for women’s rights and the disabled. She founded a school and home for disabled children, “Al Ama” Institute for the Disabled,” and “n association for parents with children with mental disabilities. She is a beacon of hope for the disabled community.

3. Zoya Rouhana – activist

She is a relentless activist for women’s rights, safety, and equality. Her organization, KAFA, has been proactively influential in guiding the Lebanese civil society toward a status free of legal, social, and economic discrimination against women.

Her fight against domestic violence has been outstanding, impacting legal changes to protect vulnerable women. She was recognized in 2007 for her efforts in that field by the US Secretary of State.

KAFA captured the attention of people worldwide with their campaign to end child marriage, and they are working endlessly to raise awareness and change laws affecting women.

4. Nadine Labaki – filmmaker

Image by Nadine Labaki –

She is a prominent Lebanese filmmaker, actress, and humanitarian. She exemplifies a woman whose drive and passion can make change happen.

She is not only a good filmmaker but has also been shining a spotlight on various social and economic issues in Lebanon. She was engaged and active in the demonstrations during Lebanon’s political and economic crises after widespread anti-government protests.

She also has used her stardom to lobby Lebanese expatriates to help their native country. She also made history as the first female Arab filmmaker nominated for a Best Foreign Language Film Oscar for her moving refugee drama Capernaum.

5. Amal Clooney

Image by Foreign and Commonwealth Office-

Amal Clooney is a Lebanese- British barrister. She is the perfect example of beauty with brains. She is intelligent and articulate in the law profession. She has represented many high-profile clients – from former Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko to WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange.

She is also a women’s rights warrior; she used her human-rights expertise to advocate for the cases of imprisoned journalists and Yazidi women abused under ISIS.

She is also famous for her awe-inspiring speeches and a fashion sense that even actresses envy. Her effortless grace and strong confidence make her a force to be reckoned with.

6. Raya Hassan

Image by U.S. Department of State-

She is a powerful Lebanese politician. Formerly the Minister of Finance, she is currently the Minister of Interior of Lebanon.

She is the first Lebanese and Arab woman to be appointed to the critical position of Minister of Interior. She is one of the four women appointed to the newly formed Lebanese government.

7. Caroline Fattal – professional business coach

Caroline is a sought-after speaker and workshop facilitator on the topic of the family business and women’s rights at the board level.

She is also an angel investor in the first Lebanese Women Angel Fund and a formal mentor for both women entrepreneurs & corporate leaders.

She is the founder of “Stand “or Women,” an N “O advocating for women’s rights and gender equality in the MENA region.

Following the Beirut explosion, she launched the “Marion” Fund,” an initiative to assist women-owned SMEs affected by the blast to return to business.

8. Josiane Adib Torbey – Architect and Community Activist

She does not limit her profession to only designing walls and building structures. She is more interested in the interaction architecture has with people.

She discovered the deprivation and extreme poverty in which the people of Sabeel, a village in North Lebanon, live. Her instinct was to contribute in one way or another. She founded the Salt of the Earth Association to promote Development through Education and Culture.

She is involved in building and fundraising educational rehabilitation of schools in the North and Lebanon as a whole. She founded the only public library in all the caza of Zghorta.

9. Micheline Braidy – judge

Image by Photo by on

Judge Braidy started her career as a lawyer. She has had twenty-five years as a judge, of which she spent ten years at the Criminal Chamber of Mount Lebanon and a couple of years at the Chamber of Cassation.

She found herself propelled in the complexities of international justice, investigating a highly politicized crime: the assassination of Rafik Hariri, prime Minister of Lebanon under Syrian occupation.

The tribunal took her to The Hague, which hosts one of the most important courts in the world. She showed immense courage in the determination of the case, even in such a politicized environment during multiple assassinations.

10. Johanna Howari Bourjeily

Image by Extraordinary Chambers of the Courts of Cambodia-

She was first a criminal lawyer. Her life was changed when a client she represented in court assaulted someone, prompting the prosecutor to request that the case be processed in penal mediation so that both the aggressor and victim could settle the conflict amicably.

This was the turning point in her career. She took the mediation road. It led her to establish the USJ Professional Mediation Center in 2006. Through this center, she has trained more than 10,000 people in Lebanon (pupils, students & professionals) to resolve conflicts without violence.

She urges the youth to settle conflicts through dialogue and not to be carried away by their impulses and violence.