Throughout history, women have been the heartbeat of humanity nurturing families, building communities, and quietly changing the world in ways often overlooked. Their greatness is not defined by a single role but by their ability to bear the weight of challenges and still extend a hand to those in need.
The late Maya Angelou once said:
“I’m grateful to be a woman. I must have done something great in another life.”
Indeed, women have always stood at the crossroads of resilience and compassion especially when it comes to feeding the hungry. This act is more than just providing food, it is a profound gesture of love, dignity, and hope.
Below are few examples of exemplary women:
1. Khadijah bint Khuwaylid (RA)
Known not only as the beloved wife of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ but also as a wealthy businesswoman, Khadijah (RA) used her resources to support the early Muslim community. She was instrumental in providing food, shelter, and protection during times of persecution, especially during the social boycott in Makkah when food was scarce.
2. Mother Teresa
A name synonymous with selfless service, Mother Teresa dedicated her life to caring for the poor and hungry in the streets of Calcutta. She famously said:
“If you can’t feed a hundred people, then feed just one.”
Her work inspired countless initiatives around the globe that continue to feed millions today.
3. Fatima al-Fihri
Though best known for founding the University of al-Qarawiyyin in Morocco the oldest existing university in the world, Fatima al-Fihri was also known in her community for charitable acts, including organizing food for the poor during times of famine.
4. Nana Asma’u
The 19th-century West African scholar and poet was deeply involved in social work, ensuring that women in her community had access to both education and sustenance, creating a ripple effect of empowerment and nourishment.
5. The Women of Today
From community soup kitchens in Cape Town to rural feeding programs in around the World, women are at the frontlines of hunger relief. They are mothers who skip meals to feed their children, activists who organize food drives, and entrepreneurs who use their businesses to fund community pantries.
Feeding others is one of the most profound acts of service and women often do it with a humility that hides its heroism. It’s not just about food it’s about saying, “You matter. You deserve dignity.”
Islamic tradition beautifully reflects this spirit:
“The best of you are those who feed others and return greetings of peace.” — Prophet Muhammad ﷺ (Hadith, Ahmad)
The greatness of women is written in the quiet acts of sacrifice the mother who wakes before dawn to prepare meals, the teacher who brings snacks for hungry students, the neighbour who shares her bread.
They are living reminders of an African proverb:
“If you educate a man, you educate an individual. If you educate a woman, you educate a nation.”
Feeding the hungry is more than charity it is a statement that the future matters. And for centuries, women have carried that truth in their hands, hearts, and kitchens.
Let us not only celebrate these women but also strive be like them givers, nurturers, and builders of hope. Today we fed 2,750 people and women played a key role this initiative, may your love provide hope to those in need for many years.
Falaah Foundation 