Teacher Trainees

SOUNDOUS EL BOUAZZAOUI
KHALIL SAOUDI

More than an actress

Angelina Jolie  is a special kind of celebrity.

She’s not only a gifted, award-winning actress, but also
a beauty icon, devoted mother, and a fierce
humanitarian.
Her speech at the 2013 Governors
Awards encompasses her philosophy and motivation
perfectly: “I never understood why some people are
lucky enough to be born with the chance that I had —
with this path in life. And why across the world, there’s
a woman … like me with the same abilities and the
same desires, the same work ethic and love for her
family who would most likely make better films and better speeches. Only she sits in a refugee
camp, and she has no voice.”

Jolie is acutely aware of the world and her role in it. The amount of work she puts into
giving back is staggering. Here’s a look at some of Jolie’s biggest efforts to help change the
world.

Social worker Aïcha Chenna

Aïcha Chenna is the most famous Moroccan

women’s rights advocate and activist. Chenna was
born in Casablanca in 1941. She left school at the age
of 16 and began to work in a hospital. After working
a couple of years, she decided to enter a nursing
school on the recommendation of a few colleagues
who had seen her potential.

In 1985, Chenna decided to found the Female

Solidarity Association (ASF) in Casablanca. ASF
assists disadvantaged single-mothers and victims of
abuse by training them in cooking, accounting and
sewing. It also provides basic daily healthcare and medical treatments, in addition to social,
psychological, and legal support in order to help the women become independent.

Chenna has been recognized by King Mohammed VI for her admirable work, who gives
financial support to her association. She has also received international recognition, winning
several prestigious prizes.
 The astronomer who planted the first Arab flag in Antarctica

Merieme Chadid was born in Casablanca on October

11, 1969. She developed an interest in astronomy from early
teenage years after her brother gifted her a book about the
German astronomer Johannes Kepler.

Her newfound interests led to her pursue studies in

physics. In 1992, she earned her master’s degree in Physics
from University of Hassan II in Casablanca. Four years later
she obtained her Ph.D. in Astronomy and Astrophysics from
the Paul Sabatier University in Toulouse. Not long after
earning her Ph.D. she was recruited as a research engineer at
the French National Center for Scientific Research.

Chadid became the first Moroccan and French woman to reach the heart of Antarctica
and she was the first person to plant a Moroccan flag in Antarctica. 

Moroccan businesswoman

Nezha Hayat is an example of a successful and

influential Moroccan businesswoman. Hayat was
named president of Morocco’s Capital Market Authority
(AMMC) in 2016 after serving as chair since 1996. She
attended the highly prestigious ESSEC Business School in
France. 

The businesswoman worked in Spain for seven years

before returning to her home country and becoming the first woman to join the board of a
banking institution in Morocco. In July 2019, King Felipe VI awarded her the Medal of
Commander of the Order of Spanish Civil Merit. Hayat is a model to look up to, a powerful
woman that has proved her worth in business. 

The second Moroccan human rights expert to join the UNHRC advisory committee.

Nadia Amal Bernoussi is a professor of constitutional

law and a member of the European Commission for
Democracy through Law, also known as the Venice
Commission. She is set to represent Morocco on the 18-
member committee, which essentially acts as a think-tank
for the UNHRC. 

Bernoussi is one of five experts representing Africa.

The committee also includes five experts from Asian states, three from Latin America and the
Caribbean, three from Western Europe, and two from Eastern Europe. Elected experts serve the
committee for three years and may seek re-election once.