Every year millions of women celebrate International Women’s Day in a variety of events, gatherings, discussions and whatnot. Indeed, it is a much needed celebration. It is a day to challenge all forms of injustices that women go through on a daily basis, and to celebrate the many milestones we have reached in terms of women’s rights and freedom. This year, I am excited to share with you the story of a woman who has done so much in her community and affected the lives of those whom she interacts with everyday.
It is 1991 in Beirut Lebanon, fresh out of the civil war, 18-year-old Reem leaves the only home she has ever known to start a life with a man she hardly knows, fleeing the aftermath of the war to build a life for herself all the way in Canada.
That is the beginning of her story, similar to many other young women at that time. What sets her aside though, are the many times she could have given up, but in which she chose not to. Reem took classes at the local college, had two beautiful daughters, absorbed the language and culture quickly, but the recession forced them out of Canada and back to Lebanon before she could get her degree. She did learn enough, though, to become a great English teacher at a school in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, where they relocated. By then, Reem had three daughters who learnt everyday from their mother to hold onto their ambitious no matter what.
Reem then had a son, a beautiful baby boy they named Adam. A doctor’s malpractice lead to many complications, and Reem left her job to take care of her boy. Three years and three surgeries later, Adam was fully well and ready to conquer Kindergarten. Reem went back to teaching, but was not satisfied with just that. So she also decided to get a degree. Confused? Yes, she raised four kids, went to work, then would study at home to only go and do the tests at university.
To every man, or woman, who has ever said that a woman who works can never be a great mother or employee at the same time; man are you wrong! In 2009, as Reem’s oldest daughter graduated from high school, Reem graduated from university. It is never too late to become to person you want to be.
Reem has such an open vibe, her students felt comfortable enough to always come to her whenever they needed someone to listen or to actually do what they say they’ll do. Her coworkers enjoyed working with her because of the degree of honesty she works with. One of her fellow teachers Hiba Darwish described her as “Mrs. Reem, a presentable coworker and an unforgettable character, is one of those who believe that “WE is more powerful than ME.” You know how years after you are done with school, only a handful of teachers remain engrained in your memory? That is the kind of teacher she is.
Nadia Nehad, an alumni of her students, said “So miss reeem ..you have been not only my teacher but rather my best friend ,my older sister and my second mom too ..you’ve always supported me you’ve always encouraged me you’ve always made me look at the positive side of the world when I was an extremely negative person ..I may not be the best now but I’ve completely changed ..I may still feel weak at times but not as before at all ..like now I survived a serious catastrophe and I’ve stopped thinking about committing suicide which for me is a real change ! And guess what u were a very very huge reason behind that! I swear to God ur like an angel ..you’re that kind of a perfect lady by all means that anyone would wish to have as a mother ,a wife or a teacher ..words would never be able to describe how much you mean to me ..your hugs lw7dha (alone) always made me feel loved, supported and better when I was all alone I just hope the world gets filled with so many reem ismails.”
Reem Al Ismail continues to change the lives of those around her to the better, never silent when injustice is happening, and always present when someone needs her. She has four children who are successful, smart, and most importantly, loved. She has students, colleagues, and friends who would all vouch for the person she is. One life, can touch many.
Written by Dana Seif
Photo credit: Dana Seif
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