Egyptian woman wins Best Mom award after dressing like a man to support her family
An Egyptian woman who had to dress like a man in order to find work and provide for her family has been named the most devoted mother in Luxor.
In the early 1970s, Sisa Abu Daooh's husband died when she was pregnant. She decided she would support her daughter on her own, but there was a big problem: Labor jobs were for men only, and Abu Daooh was unable to read or write, making her ineligible for office work. Going against her family, Abu Daooh shaved her head, donned men's robes, and began making bricks, harvesting wheat, and shining shoes.
The sacrifice was worth it. "When a woman lets go of her femininity, it's hard," Abu Daooh said. "But I would do anything for my daughter. It was the only way to make money. What else could I do?" Dressing like a man worked out well for her, she said, as she never had to deal with sexual harassment and could hang out with men at coffee shops. Abu Daooh did not hide the fact that she was a woman, and most people call her "Umm Hoda," or "Hoda's mom."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
In addition to the award she received on Sunday from President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi, Abu Daooh was also given a kiosk to run for extra income, The Guardian reports. The honor came at a good time, as she's supporting a new generation: Her daughter's husband is sick and can't work, so she's taking care of the entire family. Abu Daooh said that 40 years after making her decision, she has no intention of changing her ways. "I have decided to die in these clothes," she said. "I've got used to it. It's my whole life and I can't leave it now."
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Catherine Garcia is night editor for TheWeek.com. Her writing and reporting has appeared in Entertainment Weekly and EW.com, The New York Times, The Book of Jezebel, and other publications. A Southern California native, Catherine is a graduate of the University of Redlands and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.
-
The week's best photos
In Pictures A flooded island, a ballistic missile, and more
By Anahi Valenzuela, The Week US Published
-
Who actually needs life insurance?
The Explainer If you have kids or are worried about passing on debt, the added security may be worth it
By Becca Stanek, The Week US Published
-
Sexual wellness trends to know, from products and therapies to retreats and hotels
The Week Recommends Talking about pleasure and sexual health is becoming less taboo
By Theara Coleman, The Week US Published
-
Puffed rice and yoga: inside the collapsed tunnel where Indian workers await rescue
Speed Read Workers trapped in collapsed tunnel are suffering from dysentery and anxiety over their rescue
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
More than 2,000 dead following massive earthquake in Morocco
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
Mexico's next president will almost certainly be its 1st female president
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
North Korea's Kim to visit Putin in eastern Russia to discuss arms sales for Ukraine war, U.S. says
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Gabon's military leader sworn in following coup in latest African uprising
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
Nobody seems surprised Wagner's Prigozhin died under suspicious circumstances
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Western mountain climbers allegedly left Pakistani porter to die on K2
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
'Circular saw blades' divide controversial Rio Grande buoys installed by Texas governor
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published