Bahraini Doris Martin has spent more than a decade collecting the stories and experiences of women from different backgrounds, culminating in a new book featuring 100 inspiring professionals, from 30 nationalities, who have taken their careers in new directions.
The Book Cover
Women Who Reinvented Their Careers showcases individuals from a wide range of sectors, exploring the journeys and perspectives that have shaped their working life and the impact they have made in their fields and communities.
The 111-page book was launched in collaboration with Bahrain Society for Human Capital Management (BSCM) Women Committee Programme and features six Bahraini women.
The Bahraini women featured are Playbook founder Wafa Obaidat, Bahrain Urban and Smart Sustainable Cities Society founder and chairwoman and associate professor of Architecture and Urbanism at the University of Bahrain Dr Fay Al Khalifa, PLAN Concepts and DHous founder Nahed Eshaq, Kinderhaus founder Huda Radhi, Faith Boutique founder Eman Darwish and Ra’edat co-founder Maryam Buzaboon.
The 57-year-old author and researcher launched the book to coincide with the Supreme Council for Women’s silver jubilee, marking 25 years since its establishment and celebrating the achievements and progress of Bahraini women.
Ms Martin began gathering the stories in 2010 through her participation in local, regional and international forums and conferences, where she met women from a variety of professional backgrounds. “I would attend these conferences as a civil society ambassador, representing the kingdom through different organisations, such as the BSCM, Bahrain Businesswomen Society and Women in Tech Global.
“By attending these events, I crossed paths with many women who in some way had a journey, purpose and impact to share, and I thought what better way to do it than through a book?”
Rather than focusing solely on senior executives or high-profile figures, Ms Martin wanted the book to reflect the experiences of women at different stages of their careers and recognise the contributions they make to their communities, whether large or small.
“I wanted to collect stories from different regions, not just Bahrain,” she said, explaining that while the kingdom has made significant progress in recognising women’s achievements, she also wanted to shine a light on women from other parts of the world.
The book features women from countries including Indonesia, India, Ghana, Tunisia, Algeria, Nigeria, Morocco, Uganda, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Pakistan, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Kazakhstan, the US, the UK, Australia and more.
“I also wanted to people to feel as though it is a book for all, that many women of different levels and fields could relate to and even become inspired by the stories and journeys they saw in the book,” Ms Martin said.
Each woman’s profile concludes with a ‘leadership lesson’, offering an insight or piece of advice on what it takes to become a good leader.
Omani Laila Al Hadhrami, chairwoman of Women Future Cities, wrote: “Women must be included in conversations about the future before the future arrives.”
Women for Boards GCC founder Katja Rieger, representing Switzerland, added: “Diversity required access to decision-making – not simply participation.”
And, chief executive officer and founder of Tribe Roba El Gindy, from Egypt, said: “The best social innovations often begin with problems people experience everyday.”
Ms Martin highlighted that career success is no longer defined by a straight, linear journey. For many women, she said, the most meaningful chapter of their professional lives can begin when they decide to transform their experience, knowledge and passion into something that serves others.
Looking ahead, Ms Martin said she plans to launch a podcast highlighting the stories of inspiring and impactful women.
The book is available free of charge through Ms Martin’s LinkedIn page.
julia@gdnmedia.bh
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