Quote by Leila Ahmed: “The history of women's contributions has often been deliberately erased or undervalued.”

This quote highlights the systemic bias that has historically led to the omission or downplaying of women's significant roles and achievements in historical narratives. It underscores the importance of actively recovering and acknowledging these vital contributions.

Throughout the late 20th century, feminist historians like Ahmed challenged traditional historical accounts, advocating for the inclusion of marginalized voices and the re-evaluation of women's roles in various civilizations and movements.

Egyptian-American scholar and the first professor of women's studies in religion at Harvard Divinity School. Her 1992 book Women and Gender in Islam is a foundational academic text examining the history of gender in Islamic thought, and she received the National Book Award for her memoir A Border Passage.