Muslim Women: Past and Present

Recommend a Muslim Woman

Throughout the ages, from the earliest days of Islam to contemporary times today, Muslim women have been and continue to be active leaders in their communities and countries across the world. This directory is a growing archive of leading Muslim women scholars, activists, writers, politicians, artists, religious and spiritual leaders, civil society leaders and more. Please contribute to this archive by suggesting Muslim women to be featured through our recommendation form.

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Ingrid Mattson

“We live in a world where we have to be concerned if anyone is suffering injustice. Muslim women shouldn’t be parochial in the sense of only being concerned about women’s issues.”9 – Dr. Ingrid Mattson

Known For: Dr. Ingrid Mattson is the first female and first North American-born president of the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA).
Country: United States

About

Dr. Ingrid Mattson is the first female, first person born in North America, and first convert to lead the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA).1 In 2001, she was elected vice president of ISNA and in 2006 she was elected president.2

Born in Canada and raised a Roman Catholic, Dr. Mattson grew up attending mass daily. But as a teenager, she felt she no longer believed in the God they talked about in church.  A few years later, Dr. Mattson became intrigued by the generosity, dignity and sense of balance she observed in some Muslim friends even as they faced prejudice. The first time she prayed the salat, the ritual Muslim prayer of bowing and prostration, she felt the closeness with God she thought she had lost. Then, at the age of 23, she embraced Islam and began to wear the hijab.3 She later married and now lives with her husband and two children in Hartford, Connecticut.4

In 1987, she completed her studies in philosophy at the University of Waterloo, Ontario.5 She then traveled to Pakistan and worked with Afghan refugee women from 1987 to 1988.  In 1995, she served as advisory to the Afghan delegation to the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women.6

Dr. Mattson received her Ph.D. in Islamic Studies from the University of Chicago in 1999.  Her research focused on Islamic law and society.7

She is currently the director of the Macdonald Center for the Study of Islam and Christian-Muslim Relations and professor of Islamic Studies and Christian-Muslim Relations at Hartford Seminary in Hartford, Connecticut.8

[1] Newsweek: Ingrid Mattson.
[2] Duncan Black Macdonald Center - Faculty: Ingrid Mattson.
[3] Newsweek: Ingrid Mattson.
[4] Newsweek: Ingrid Mattson.
[5] Duncan Black Macdonald Center - Faculty: Ingrid Mattson.
[6] Islamic Society of North America: Ingrid Mattson.
[7] Duncan Black Macdonald Center - Faculty: Ingrid Mattson.
[8] Duncan Black Macdonald Center - Faculty: Ingrid Mattson.
[9] Beliefnet - “We Are What We Do”.

 

Videos

Dr. Ingrid Mattson:
Women of Islam (1 of 4)

Dr. Ingrid Mattson: Community in Islam

More Information

Duncan Black Macdonald Center - Faculty: Ingrid Mattson.
Islamic Society of North America: Ingrid Mattson.

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This search feature will enable you to find Muslim women alphabetically by their first names. Many Muslim names have alternative spellings once rendered into English so if you cannot find the name you are looking for, please try the general search tab where you can enter keywords of your choice.
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This search feature will enable you to find Muslim women chronologically by the Common Era century. We are actively building the archive of Muslim women leaders from the past, as well as from today, and we would welcome your recommendations of women to feature. Please complete our “Recommend Muslim Women” form and check the site again in the near future as we actively expand this section of the portal with your suggestions.
This search feature will enable you to find Muslim women by their Country. We are actively building the archive of Muslim women leaders from the past, as well as from today, and we would welcome your recommendations of women to feature. Please complete our “Recommend Muslim Women” form and check the site again in the near future as we actively expand this section of the portal with your suggestions.
This search feature will enable you to find Muslim women leaders by entering the keyword(s) of your choice. If you cannot find a particular woman that you are looking for, please let us know by completing our “Recommend Muslim Women” form and check the site again in the near future as we actively expand this section of the portal with your suggestions.