Satnam Mahmood
Satnam Mahmood | |
|---|---|
| Born | Satnam Kaur 16 October 1921 |
| Died | October 1995 (aged 78–79) |
| Other names | Nama |
| Alma mater | Harvard University |
| Occupation(s) | Radio broadcaster Journalist |
| Spouse | Mahmood Ali Khan |
| Children | Shahla Zia |
| Parents |
|
Satnam Mahmood (16 October 1921 – October 1995), also referred to as Satnam Mahmood Kaur and Nama, was a Pakistani radio broadcaster, public administrator, women's rights activist, and educationist.[1][2]
Biography
[edit]Satnam Mahmood was born Satnam Kaur in the city of Lahore in 1921 to Charan Singh, a novelist and journalist, and Sakina Singh.[1] She was married to Mahmood Ali Khan, a progressive independence activist. Her husband was the uncle of writer Tariq Ali.[1] After the establishment of Pakistan as an independent country, Mahmood became one of the first women to join the newly formed Pakistani civil service.[1] The service sent her to Harvard University as part of her training, where she received a Ph.D. in education.[1] Mahmood Ali Khan died in 1961.[1] Shehla Zia, Mahmood's daughter, and Maliha Zia Lari, one of her granddaughters, are also prominent women's rights activists.[1][3][4]
Mahmood began working as a radio broadcaster in 1941, working in All-India Radio’s studio in Lahore. She became known for her broadcasts in Punjabi.[1] As a broadcaster, she was referred to by the nickname "Nama".[1] She also worked for the government, in areas related to women's education.[1] She wrote multiple books on public administration.[1] She taught in the Administrative Staff College, and also gave lectures elsewhere.[1] After her husband's death, Mahmood moved away from broadcasting, and focused on women's rights activism. She played a role in setting up an organisation called the "Women’s Action Forum".[1] She died of heart failure in Islamabad in October 1995.[1]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Sheikh, Majid (18 September 2016). "Remembering Pakistan's finest radio women, Mohini Hameed and Satnam Mahmood". Dawn. Retrieved 11 December 2016.
- ^ Davidson, Mela (1997). Pakistan. Stacey International. ISBN 9781900988018.
- ^ Ali, Rabia (29 November 2014). "Legal battle: The woman behind Sindh's domestic violence bill". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 11 December 2016.
- ^ "HR activist Shahla Zia passes away". Dawn. 11 March 2005. Retrieved 26 November 2016.