Soraya Chemaly

Soraya Lisa Catherine Chemaly is a Bahamian-American author, activist, and feminist born in 1966 in Florida.1 She has gained recognition for her work on gender issues, women's rights, and freedom of expression.

Background and Education

Chemaly grew up in a strict Catholic household in the Bahamas, where her parents owned a chain of gift shops.1 She later attended Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts, before pursuing her higher education at Georgetown University. At Georgetown, she graduated Magna cum laude in 1988, studying Catholic theology, history, and women's studies.1

Career

Chemaly's career has been diverse and impactful:

Early Career:: In the 1990s, she worked at the Gannett Company media company in Washington, D.C., and later as a marketing consultant in the media and IT industry until 2010.1

Journalism and Writing:: As a freelance journalist and author, Chemaly has contributed to numerous publications, including The Atlantic, Time, The Guardian, and Huffington Post.1 Her writing primarily focuses on freedom of expression, gender issues, women's rights, sexualized violence, media, and technology.

Activism:: Chemaly serves as the director of the Women's Media Centre Speech Project, an initiative aimed at promoting women in political fields.1

Author:: In 2018, Chemaly published her first book, "Rage Becomes Her: The Power of Women's Anger," which received critical acclaim and was translated into several languages.1

Awards and Recognition

Chemaly has received several accolades for her work:

• Donna Allen Award for feminist advocacy (2015)
• Secular Woman Feminist Activism Award (2015)
• Named one of the 25 most inspiring women to follow on Twitter by Elle magazine (2014)
• Women and Media Award from the Women's Institute for Freedom of the Press (2016)
• Co-recipient of the 2017 Mirror Award for best individual feature of 20161

Soraya Chemaly continues to be an influential voice in feminist discourse and activism, challenging conventional wisdom and advocating for gender equality through her writing and public engagements.