Insight November 2018 - Untold Stories

UNTOLD
STORIES
13
THE INSPIRED DAUGHTER
Raised by a single mother in Egypt, Sue Ellen Hassouna overcame the odds to become a
successful lawyer in a male-dominated profession and society. She credits her success to
her mother, and now she supports younger women in their careers.
SUE ELLEN HASSOUNA, EGYPT
My goal is to change society’s perspective on
women and fight the prejudice they face on a daily
basis – both in Egypt and around the world. I want
to use my position and influence to make a stand
for women.
Fighting for equality
From the moment I chose to study law until
today, I’ve seen a lot of prejudice against women,
especially in the field of law. I used to get
disapproving looks from my male colleagues in
courtrooms. I’ve faced stereotyping, judgmental
attitudes, and disrespect. I had to fight to be taken
seriously in my profession. Even though I achieved
high grades at university, large corporations
rejected me when I applied for jobs as a fresh
graduate. There was a sense that they couldn’t
trust a woman lawyer with the job.
After getting rejected from 13 companies, I vowed
to work hard until the companies that rejected
me would instead seek to employ me. Now,
I’m the head of the legal department of a large
corporation and have set up a scholarship for
young women who want to become lawyers.
No one can be successful without the help of
others. That’s what inspired me to create
a scholarship for young women lawyers.
Women in Egypt face many financial and cultural
constraints which prevent them pursuing proper
education or professional careers.
I want to prove that these doors should not be
closed to women and we should help them
overcome financial and cultural obstacles.
The chance to invest in young hopeful
women and help them succeed is
a great reward for my efforts.
Sue Ellen Hassouna was recently
featured on SAT-7 ARABIC program
She’s the Story. The show presents the
lives of successful Arab women
who have faced adversity
courageously and achieved
their goals. It seeks to inspire
women to fight against
social prejudices and
pursue their dreams
holeheartedly.
“
Just as my mother
helped me, I want
to help the next
generation of
women pursuing
education and a
career.
Inspired and inspiring
My mother is my inspiration, and the one behind
my success, which is why I named the scholarship
after her. I was raised by a single mother – she’s a
fighter, had strong principles, and taught us right
from wrong. She is my role model and my support.
When I chose to study law, everyone ridiculed
me and put me down because I was shy
and quiet as a young girl. But my mother
believed in me. Even after I finished
university and couldn’t find work,
she helped me further my studies.
I owe it all to her.