Google Doodle Celebrates 95th Birthday of Fatima Meer
Google Doodle honors Fatima Meer’s 95th birthday, highlighting her impact as a South African figure. Meer, known for her roles as a writer, artist, scholar, and anti-apartheid activist, has made enduring contributions to human rights and gender equality.
In 1969, she penned “Portrait of Indian South Africans,” directing all sales proceeds to the Gandhi Settlement for a museum and clinic. Meer actively rescued 10,000 flood victims along the Umgeni River.
She staunchly supported the Iranian Revolution and opposed Salman Rushdie’s visit in 1998 due to alleged blasphemy. Participating in protests against Palestinian oppression and the US-led Afghanistan invasion, she founded Jubilee 2000 to advocate Third World debt cancellation.
From 1956 to 1988, Fatima Meer served as a sociology lecturer at the University of Natal, becoming the first non-white in that role. She earned recognition as a fellow at the London School of Economics and obtained three honorary doctorates.
Historically, Fatima Meer and Kesaveloo Goonam led the Natal Indian Congress in 1950 as the first female leaders. Meer played a pivotal role in founding the Durban and District Women’s League in 1952, fostering cooperation between African and Indian communities.
In 1950, she married Ismail Meer, a prominent anti-apartheid lawyer and her first cousin. Their united efforts significantly contributed to the anti-apartheid struggle.
Re-reported from the article originally published in The Statesman
