Emirati Women’s Day is more than simply a date on the calendar.
It’s a powerful reminder of the women who continue to dismantle stereotypes and redefine boundaries. From the first Emirati female astronaut to pioneers in sports, aviation, law, and film, these women stand as both inspiration and proof of the UAE’s commitment to empowering women across every field.
Nora Al Matrooshi
Selected by the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre in 2021, Nora Al Matrooshi is the first Arab woman chosen for astronaut training. As a mechanical engineer, she trained alongside NASA’s 2021 class at Johnson Space Center as part of the UAE–NASA partnership and graduated with the international cadre in 2024, qualifying for future mission assignments.
Nayla Al Baloushi
In May 2022, Nayla Al Baloushi summited the Mount Everest, which is a whopping 8,849m, becoming the first Emirati woman to reach the world’s highest peak.
Zahra Lari
Abu Dhabi–born Zahra Lari broke barriers as the first figure skater to compete internationally wearing a hijab, prompting a change in attire rules following her 2012 event deduction from the European Cup in Canazei, Italy. Since then she has represented the UAE at multiple international competitions and is known as a champion of inclusivity and Emirati women in sports and athletics.
Dr. Suaad Al Shamsi
Dr. Suaad Al Shamsi is the UAE’s first female aircraft engineer. Throughout her years in the field of aviation maintenance and engineering, she has championed women in STEM through mentoring and public speaking, and sharing her journey to success in a male-dominated field.
Nayla Al Khaja
Nayla Al Khaja is widely regarded as the UAE’s first female film director and producer. Through Nayla Al Khaja Films, she has written and/or directed award-winning shorts and commercials, and advocates for regional stories on global screens. Her trailblazing career not only opened doors for Emirati women in the film industry but it established a blueprint for local indie cinema.
Amna Al Haddad
A former journalist turned athlete, Amna Al Haddad is an Emirati weightlifter who has competed internationally. Her experiences informed global sports-wear conversations, including early Nike Pro Hijab development, and she continues to speak on mental health, discipline, and inclusion in athletics across the Middle East.
Salma AlBaloushi
Salma Mohammed Al Baloushi joined Etihad’s cadet program in its early years and went on to become the first Emirati woman to attain the First Officer rank at the airline.
Amna Al Qubaisi
Amna Al Qubaisi is the first Emirati female racing driver to compete internationally. After karting success, she raced in Italian F4, Formula Regional series, and F1 Academy; in 2018 she became the first Emirati to take part in an official Formula E test.
Khulood Al Dhaheri
Khulood Ahmed Jawan Al Dhaheri was sworn in as the UAE’s first female judge in Abu Dhabi in October 2008, a landmark moment for the country’s judicial history.
Lana Nusseibeh
Appointed in September 2013, Lana Zaki Nusseibeh became the UAE’s first female Permanent Representative to the United Nations. In 2017, she served as President of the UN Women Executive Board and as Vice-President of the UN General Assembly. She concluded her tenure as Permanent Representative in April 2024 and moved into a senior role as Assistant Minister for Political Affairs and Envoy of the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Sara Al Senaani
Paraplegic athlete Sara Al Senaani made history at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games, winning bronze in the women’s F33 shot put with a throw of 5.09m, becoming the Emirati woman to win a Paralympic medal. She has since continued to compete internationally, including at the 2019 Worlds and Tokyo 2020.
