Middle Eastern Women: Diverse and Amazing Role Models

One of the biggest mistakes we make as writers, teachers, and storytellers is to show our audiences only perfect role models. This is off-putting to everyone, not just to young women. Research urges us again and again to show that the success achieved by role models should be attainable and replicable.

That’s why the women in Wafa’ Tarnowska’s book Amazing Women of the Middle East are not perfect. They are not only queens or princesses. They come from all walks of life and from many parts of the Middle East. We hope that this talk with Middle Eastern author Wafa' Tarnowska on International Women’s Day will inspire everyone to believe in their dreams, regardless of the obstacles.

Q&A will follow and be moderated by Ivy Raines, Syracuse University.

Wafa’ Tarnowska is an award-winning writer, translator and storyteller. She was born in Lebanon and has worked and lived in several countries from India, to Australia, to the UAE as well as Cyprus and Lebanon. She currently lives between the UK and Poland, writing, translating books and documentaries, and offering storytelling sessions in English and Arabic. Wafa' sees herself as a cultural bridge between East and West and feels particularly proud of her many books for children, including The Arabian Nights and Amazing Women of the Middle East. Her new book Nour’s Secret Library, available from March 14, 2022, is based on Wafa’s own life experience in the Lebanese civil war and inspired by a true story in Syria. It is about the power of books to heal, transport and create safe spaces during difficult times.