Followers confirm the resemblance between Donia Samir Ghanem and the late Naima El-Ayoubi.

The late Naima El-Ayoubi achieved a major milestone after entering the legal profession.

An old photograph from the archives of the 1930s brought actress Donia Samir Ghanem to the top of social media trends and search engines, after users were surprised by the strong resemblance between her and the late lawyer Naima El-Ayoubi, the first Egyptian woman to enter the field of law at a time when the profession was considered exclusive to men.

As photos of Naima El-Ayoubi spread widely over the past hours, comparisons between her features and those of Donia Samir Ghanem became a major talking point among the public. Many described the resemblance as “unbelievable,” prompting thousands of users to search for her story and learn more about the woman who marked one of the most important milestones in modern women’s history.

Naima El-Ayoubi is considered one of the inspiring female figures who broke social barriers in her time, after joining Fouad I University, now known as Cairo University, as part of the first batch of female students admitted in 1929. She later achieved a historic milestone by officially entering the legal profession in 1933.

The First Egyptian Woman to Practice Law

Her appearance at the time was not merely symbolic; she became a symbol of the educated and ambitious woman after wearing the black lawyer’s robe and standing in courtrooms to defend the oppressed. She thus became the first Egyptian woman to officially practice law, in a move considered a bold challenge to the prevailing traditions and customs of that era.

In 1934, Naima El-Ayoubi delivered her first famous court defense in a national case related to resistance against British occupation, defending several leaders of the national movement who had led campaigns to boycott British goods. This further strengthened her position as one of the most prominent female figures in the history of social and legal struggle.