A Guide to the Visiting Scholars - Jehan el Sadat Collection , 1985-1988 RU 3.5

A Guide to the Visiting Scholars - Jehan el Sadat Collection , 1985-1988

A Collection in
University Archives, McConnell Library, Radford University
Collection number RU 3.5


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Radford University, University Archives, McConnell Library

University Archives
McConnell Library
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Email: archives@radford.edu
URL: https://www.radford.edu/content/library/archives/finding-aids.html

© By Radford University. All rights reserved.

Processed by: Sarah Theibert

Repository
University Archives, McConnell Library, Radford University
Collection number
RU 3.5
Title
Visiting Scholars - Jehan el Sadat Collection , 1985-1988
Extent
2.0 Linear feet .
Creator
Jehan el Sadat
Location
Located in locked compact shelving, level 1, Shelf 19D.
Language
English
Abstract
The Jehan el Sadat Collection contains correspondence, class lecture notes, newspaper articles, and other materials related to her tenure as a Visiting Professor at Radford University in 1985-86. For the full collection details, click here.

Administrative Information

Access Restrictions

An appointment for research is required. The collection is open for research. No interlibrary loan.

Use Restrictions

There are no restrictions.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], Visiting Scholars - Jehan el Sadat Collection, Radford University Archives, McConnell Library, Radford University, Radford, VA. Visiting Scholars - Jehan el Sadat Collection , Accession # RU 3.5, University Archives, McConnell Library, Radford University

Acquisition Information

Jehan el Sadat

Accruals

No additional accruals are expected.

Custodial History

Donated by Jehan el Sadat.

Processing Information

Processing and finding aid by Sarah Theibert with finding aid assistance by Gene Hyde.

Biographical Information

Jehan el Sadat was born in Cairo, Egypt, and met her future husband, Anwar Sadat when she was 15. Anwar Sadat, 16 years her senior, was a political activist who had recently been released from prison at the time. Jehan Sadat's parents initially objected to her marriage to Anwar but eventually allowed the couple to wed. Mrs. Sadat began her own activism in her village of Talla, promoting women's independence through a program that trained train girls and women of all ages to make handicrafts. She expanded her work to include boys and men, training them in skills such as carpentry, electric works, and carpet weaving. Mrs. Sadat also helped establish family services such as a kindergarten, family guidance, and a clinic.

Anwar Sadat became President of Egypt in 1970, and is best known for signing the Camp David Accords in 1978 that led to the first peace treaty between Israel and Egypt in 1979. Islamic fundamentalists felt Sadat had betrayed the Egyptian people and assassinated him during a parade in 1981. His death left Jehan el Sadat alone with their four children: Lobna, Noha, Jehan, and Gamal. Mrs. Sadat decided to continue her activism after her husband's death by promoting women's rights and peace in Egypt.

Mrs. Sadat advocated for more rights and security for Egyptian women, and pushed a new Civil Rights law through the Egyptian parliament in 1976. She also fought to help Egyptian orphans by initiating the S.O.S. Children's Villages. Mrs. Sadat founded and/or headed the following organizations: The Egyptian Red Crescent Society, The Egyptian Blood Bank Society, The Egyptian Society for The Scientific Association for Egyptian Women, The Egyptian Society for Biomedical Engineering, The Higher Committee for Children, The Egyptian Society for the Welfare of University and Higher Institute Students, and The Egyptian Society for the Preservation of Antiquities.

Mrs. Sadat received a BA in Arabic Literature from Cairo University's Faculty of Arts. She earned a Master's degree from Cairo University in 1980, writing a thesis on The influence of Shelley on Arabic Literature. In 1986 she earned her Ph.D. from Cairo University, writing her dissertation on The Influence of English Criticism on Romantic Critics in Egypt Between the Two Wars. She came to the US and held positions at Radford University and University of South Carolina. At Radford she was an Honorary Visiting Professor in 1985-86, teaching the courses Women in the Third World and Egypt: Its History and Culture.

Mrs. Sadat won various international awards for her efforts to help women and promote the message of peace. In 1975, she was named Volunteer of the Year from the Rehabilitation International U.S.A., named a Paul Harris Fellow from The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International, as well as being the recipient of the Commissioner's Award from the Rehabilitation Services Administration in December. She has been awarded a number of honors, including Cross of Merit from the Italian Red Cross, a Distinguished Public Service award from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Margret Sanger Award from the Planned Parenthood Federation of America, the Women's International Center Living Legacy Award, the Crittenton Center International Humanitarian Award, the Eleanor Roosevelt United Nations Award, the Community of Christ International Peace Award, and the Pearl S. Buck Award.

Mrs. Sadat published her autobiography, A Woman of Egypt, in 1987. In 2009 she published My Hope For Peace, a call for peace in the Middle East. Both volumes are available at McConnell Library.

Sarah Theibert, based on an autobiographical sketch by Jehan el Sadat.

Scope and Content

The Jehan el Sadat Collection contains correspondence, class lecture notes, newspaper articles, and other materials related to her tenure as a Visiting Professor at Radford University in 1985-86. This collection houses items such as Mrs. Sadat's lectures from various classes throughout the Fall and Spring of 1985 and 1986. Sadat's correspondence is also featured here ranging from 12/9/85 to 2/12/88. Also there are various items such as Mrs. Sadat's stationary and brief biography, newspaper articles involving Mrs. Sadat and information on the Conference of Status of Women.

Arrangement

Box 1. Miscellaneous Items

Box 2. Sadat's Lectures

Box 3. Sadat Correspondence