A Woman of Firsts
The midwife who built a hospital and changed the world
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A Woman of Firsts
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Narrated by:
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Edna Adan Ismail
About this listen
Winner of the 2023 Templeton Prize
Imprisonment. Mutilation. Persecution.
Edna Adan Ismail endured it all – for the women of Africa.
Imprisonment. Mutilation. Persecution.
‘The Muslim Mother Teresa’ Huffington Post
Edna Adan Ismail endured it all – for the women of Africa.
Edna saw first-hand how poor healthcare, lack of education and ancient superstitions had devastating effects on Somaliland’s people, especially its women. When she suffered the trauma of FGM herself as a young girl at the bidding of her mother, Edna’s determination was set.
The first midwife to practise in Somaliland, Edna became a formidable teacher and campaigner for women’s health. As her country was swept up in its bloody fight for independence, Edna rose to become its First Lady and first female cabinet minister.
She built her own hospital, brick by brick, training future generations in what has been hailed as one of the Horn of Africa’s finest university hospitals
This is Edna’s truly remarkable story.
©2019 Edna Adan Ismail, Wendy Holden (P)2019 HarperCollins Publishers LimitedListeners also enjoyed...
Critic reviews
"The Muslim Mother Teresa." (The Huffington Post)
"As tough as General Petraeus, as compassionate as the Pope, as tireless as Michael Phelps, as beautiful as Tina Turner, and with a work ethic to rival Bill Gates." (Kirsty Young, Desert Island Discs)
What listeners say about A Woman of Firsts
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- C Costache
- 16-05-23
Oh my 😭
Loved every single moment of it. I needed this, to carry on fighting for my dream and be the change i want to see in the world.
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- Hannah
- 12-10-20
Inspiring - what a woman!
Edna tells her story like she's chatting over coffee and as a nurse the way she talks about her passion for the role and patient care is truly inspirational. On top of that her life is so fascinating and you are left with a sense of motivation at how one person can really make a difference.
This book, Edna's story, is truly amazing and if Edna reads this review I want to thank her for sharing it with us.
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- Karen N.
- 05-09-20
Opens your eyes to the experiences of woman
An amazing story told in the first hand that really opens your eyes to the experiences and struggles of women in the developing world. Some hard to listen to parts but we'll worth listening to.
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- Amazon Customer
- 08-08-20
A poignant reminder that we can change the world!
I found this book absolutely mesmerising - the historical truths, entwined alongside a passion for women’s rights and nursing make a truly wonderful story! As an educator I found the passage about FGM the most useful experience, it stopped me in my tracks and although I have heard many times about FGM it was not until Edna shared her experiences that I listened. I will be sharing it with my fellow educators as we do have a problem with FGM in the U.K. This book highlights the inequalities still faced today, I do hope there is some way I can support Edna’s hospital. My own father is a Paediatric Consultant and I do wonder if he would visit with me, perhaps my school could fundraise! He too instilled a deep empathy within me for others, therefore Edna’s story connected to my own. Thank you, Megan
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- kathryn gough
- 27-09-19
I adored this book
Couldn’t wait to hear the next chapter all the way through. Engaging, informative, heart wrenching, witty and inspirational.
I loved every word.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- lois
- 04-04-22
Truly inspirational
Edna is the David Attenborough of health care and the most amazing woman I have ever read about.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Kindle Customer
- 27-11-20
A Must Read Book
Not always comfortable read but what an inspirational woman definitely worth reading, an amazing woman.
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- Anonymous User
- 18-11-23
Inspirational
A truly important, powerful book. I always had great respect for Edna Aden however understanding her journey through life has only left a deeper reservoir of respect in me. I am grateful that Edna Adan made a decision to document her life and will be a part of the many legacies she will leave behind. This will be a book I will pass down to my children. God bless Edna Adan.
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- annie
- 31-08-19
fantastic
To hear Edna Adan Ismail read this book was outstanding and a pleasure to hear.
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- Ibeme
- 03-11-20
Inspired, harrowing and humbling.
I loved this book. Edna is such an incredible woman. To have not only survived but thrived is truly inspirational.
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