CELEBRATING WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH: HADEER SHALABY AND BETHELHEM ABEBE
#GSAHerstory: Honoring stories of Women’s strenght, legacy and Inspiration
March is Women’s History Month – a time to celebrate the achievements and lasting impact of the incredible women who shape our lives. At GSA, we embrace that behind every innovator, leader, and changemaker, there’s a remarkable woman whose wisdom and strength helped pave the way.
This month, we’re proud to highlight some powerful women in the GSA network. Their stories of strength, resilience and determination have shaped them into the personas that they are today, and we’re eager to learn more about the women that have influenced their journeys.
The Women Who Lifted Me: A Journey of Empowerment and Support
‘‘Today, I’m shifting the focus from myself to two amazing women who have profoundly shaped my life and career.
The first woman is my mother, a strong, hardworking woman who has always been my guiding light. She, too, was inspired by her own mother, who stood by her side, helping her complete her education and build a successful family despite limited resources and societal challenges. And just like her mother, she did the same for me. At a time when society and relatives pressured her to pull me out of school early and get me married – because that’s what tradition dictated – she stood firm. She refused to let anything stop me from getting the best education possible and to shape my own future.
From the moment I entered university until now, my mother has always pushed me to improve and leave a mark. She taught me to dream big and work hard to achieve something meaningful. She is the reason I founded Freeziana – a platform empowering women and girls through training, job creation, and supporting women-owned businesses.
The second woman who changed my life is Dr. Dalia Ibrahim, the largest investor in my company and someone I deeply admire. She’s the kind of successful and inspiring Muslim woman I aspire to be. Beyond business, she genuinely cares about people. One of the most defining moments in my life was when I faced postpartum depression, she didn’t pressure me to return to work, focusing only on the financial returns. Instead, she helped me find myself again first. She told me: "Family comes first. Take care of your child, and everything else will follow."
That meant the world to me. She’s not just an investor – she’s someone who truly changed my life.
These two women have shaped me into the person and entrepreneur I am today, and I will always be grateful for them.”
— Hadeer Shalaby, Founder and ceo, Freeziana
Women Leading the Change: Sustainability, Innovation and Empowerment
‘‘I started Zafree Papers to create sustainable, tree-free paper by turning agricultural waste into high-quality products. Traditional paper production contributes to deforestation, but Ethiopia has an untapped resource – organic waste like banana fiber. Instead of letting it go to waste, we repurpose it into durable, eco-friendly paper, reducing environmental impact and promoting a circular economy.
Throughout my journey, I’ve been influenced by incredible women. My mother taught me resilience and the importance of standing by my vision. Dr. Eleni Gabre-Madhin, my mentor at BlueMoon, pushed me to think strategically and build something that lasts. Their support shaped the way I lead today.
At Zafree, 90% of our workforce is women – from production to management. They are the driving force behind our work, proving that sustainability and economic empowerment can go hand in hand.
As we celebrate Women’s History Month, I hope more women share their #GSAHerStory. The challenges are real, but so are the opportunities. The more we build, the more we open doors for others.’’
— BEThelhem ABEBE, FOunder and ceo, ZAFREE
“Each time a woman stands up for herself, without knowing it possibly, without claiming it, she stands up for all women” — MAYA Angelou
As we celebrate Women’s History Month, we encourage you to reflect on the remarkable women who’ve inspired you – whether in your personal life, career, or beyond. Who are the women whose strength and wisdom have left a lasting impact on your journey?
Share your stories with us by using the hashtag #GSAHerStory and let’s celebrate the women who’ve empowered and encouraged us to become who we are today.
If you know an inspiring female entrepreneur in the startup ecosystem, don’t forget to nominate them for the Regional Competition of the Global Startup Awards – public nominations are still open! 🚀