Edna Adan the "Muslim Mother Teresa"

by Sarah Melnyk, Jackie Gulde, and Stephanie Seal

Maternal Health and Infant Mortality are big issues in our world today. While we have seen some improvement in health and decline in Mortality rates among mothers and infants, underdeveloped countries still struggle. The health risks associated with pregnancy and childbirth in these countries are prevalent due to a lack of health professionals and resources. In the midst of one of the world's most impoverished countries, Somaliland, is a woman who has made the elimination of such health risks her life's ambition. Edna Adan is this woman and has made such a huge impact on the lives of the women in her country that she has been called the "Muslim Mother Teresa".

Enjoy this digital story of the Maternal health movement and Somaliland's heroine, Edna Adan:

Edna's contribution to improve maternal health in her home country is an inspiration to all women, especially those who work in grassroots movements. Her story is one of hope, charity, and empowerment.

Women Today

Egyptian Mummy Portrait, c. 160 - 170 C.E.

http://www.britishmuseum.org/research/collection_online/search.aspx?searchText=fayum+portrait

What's it mean to be a "modern" woman? "Modern" means to come from something, and so a modern woman is a woman steeped in physical, cultural, and psychological ancestors—and that is all women. To be a modern woman is to share a common history with all the women that have preceded her. It is to share and be made by the hopes, fears, abuse, and victories of previous cultures’ relationships with women. I like this woman’s death mask because, even though she and I are separated by 1800 years, she emotes confidence and calm like the women in my life that I admire.