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Indonesian At a time when women still had limited freedom of movement and access to education was available only to the few, an inspiring figure named Rahmah El Yunusiyah emerged, boldly challenging those injustices. She became known as a pioneer of women’s education from West Sumatra, whose struggle in the early 20th century laid an important foundation for the advancement of Indonesian women up to the present day. She was also among the first figures to raise the red-and-white flag in West Sumatra after the proclamation of Indonesia’s independence. The house where she grew up has now become a museum that records the journey of Rahmah’s struggle. More than a century after she founded the first Islamic school for girls, Rahmah was finally awarded the title of National Hero in 2025. **Advocating for Women’s Education** Rahmah El Yunusiyah was born in Padang Panjang on October 26, 1900, raised in a family environment of religious and intellectual traditions. Her father, Muhammad Yunus, was a scholar who served as a _kadi_ (Islamic judge), while her mother, Rafiah, also came from a family that upheld strong religious values. Her older brother, Zainuddin Labay, an Islamic education reformer who founded the Diniyah Islamic school, played a significant role in shaping her worldview. Rahmah was known as one who would study with diligence, driven by an intense curiosity. Though her formal schooling extended only to the elementary level, she studied both Arabic and Latin script under the guidance of her brother. Beyond self-study, she sought knowledge from many of the leading scholars of her time. Her interests were not confined to religious studies alone—she also explored health and midwifery. This shows that, even from a young age, Rahmah already had a broad vision of the importance of knowledge in various aspects of life. At that time, society still regarded women as unworthy of higher education. They were more often steered toward domestic roles, confined to managing the household. This reality weighed heavily on Rahmah, raising a deep sense of concern. She believed that women held a vital role in shaping the future generation. In her view, if women were denied proper education, the progress of society as a whole would inevitably be stunted. From this perspective, grew a powerful determination within her to fight for women’s right to education. **The First Islamic School for Girls** Rahmah’s determination to champion women’s education took shape when she founded the Madrasah Diniyah Li al-Banat as part of the Diniyah school in Padang Panjang on November 1, 1923. Known as Diniyah Putri, it became the first Islamic school for girls in Indonesia—and is even recognized as one of the earliest in Southeast Asia. Rahmah believed such a school exclusively for girls was essential. From her own experience at the Diniyah School, she had seen how mixed classes left girls reluctant to voice their opinions or ask questions. This institution became a landmark in the history of women’s education in Indonesia. Diniyah Putri dorm (Republika.id) In its earliest days, Diniyah Putri carried out teaching and learning in the simplest of ways—on the veranda of a mosque, with around seventy students, most of them young mothers. They studied Islam and Arabic under very modest conditions. Yet even in such limitations, Rahmah refused subsidies from the Dutch colonial government, determined to keep the school independent. As time went on, the number of students grew, and the need for better facilities became pressing. Rahmah then took the initiative to travel across regions such as Aceh and North Sumatra, and even to the Malay Peninsula, to raise funds. Through these efforts, she succeeded in building a proper school building and dormitories, providing a more fitting place for students to learn and live. Her curriculum revealed a remarkably forward-thinking vision. Her school was not only limited to studying Islam, but it also integrated general subjects such as Indonesian, English, Dutch, mathematics, natural sciences, and a range of practical skills. Beyond the classroom, students were also encouraged to take part in extracurricular activities like weaving, basketry, music, and sports. This holistic approach to education reflected Rahmah’s desire to enable women to be not only knowledgeable, but also independent and prepared to face the challenges of life. Rahmah continued to expand her institution by opening new levels of education, including teacher training through Kulliyat al-Mu’allimat al-Islamiyah in 1937. This step was taken to address the shortage of educators while also producing highly qualified female teachers. A year earlier, she had already established branches of Diniyah Putri in Kwitang and Tanah Abang. Diniyah Putri further grew to include kindergartens and secondary schools, eventually paving the way toward higher education. **Political Activism** Apart from her dedication to education, Rahmah also played an active role in politics. In 1935, she attended the Indonesian Women’s Congress in Batavia as a delegate of the Women’s Federation of Sumatra (Serikat Kaum Ibu Sumatra or SKIS). Later, in the 1950s, she served as a member of parliament representing the Masyumi Party. Rahmah played a role in Indonesia’s struggle for independence. She was involved in the formation of the People’s Security Army (Tentara Keamanan Rakyat or TKR), which later became the foundation of the Indonesian National Armed Forces (Tentara Nasional Indonesia or TNI). During the National Revolution, she was active in providing logistical and arms support to the fighters. She is even remembered as one of the first figures to raise the red-and-white flag in West Sumatra after the proclamation of independence. Due to her activism, Rahmah was arrested and imprisoned by the Dutch colonial government in 1949. In the years of the Revolutionary Government of the Republic of Indonesia (Pemerintah Revolusioner Republik Indonesia or PRRI) in Central Sumatra, at the end of 1958, Rahmah joined the Banteng Council. During this period of upheaval, she lived a guerrilla life in the forests alongside PRRI leaders, moving from one village to another and deeper into the jungles, accompanied by members of her family. **_Syaikhah_ and National Hero ** Rahmah’s contributions to education also gained international recognition. In 1957, she became the first woman to be awarded the title of _syaikhah_ —an honorary designation given to distinguished female Islamic scholars—by Al-Azhar University in Egypt, in honor of her pioneering work in advancing women’s education. The schools she established inspired Al-Azhar to open programs specifically for women, and the educational system she developed was even adopted by the institution itself. At the national level, Rahmah’s finally received formal recognition for her struggle and accomplishments when she was awarded the title of National Hero in 2025 by President Prabowo Subianto. This honor affirmed that her struggle had left a profound impact on the Indonesian nation, especially in the fields of education and women’s empowerment. **Rahmah El Yunusiyah Museum** Rahmah passed away on February 26, 1969, yet the spirit of her struggle has continued to live on through the generations that followed. Her educational institutions remain standing and have continued to grow to this day. The legacy she left behind was not only in the form of schools, but also in the ideas and values that championed the vital importance of education for women. The library in the Rahmah El Yunusiyah Museum (Wikipedia) The story of Rahmah’s upbringing and the values that shaped her life can be traced through the museum established in her honor, inaugurated by the government on August 26, 2019, in the city of Padang Panjang. The museum building itself is the old home of Rahmah’s mother—the place where Rahmah was raised. Visitors to the museum can see Rahmah’s personal belongings, such as her typewriter, clothing, bed, wardrobe, and other household furniture. Photographs depicting Rahmah’s life journey and her family lineage adorn the walls. There is also a replica of Rahmah’s bedroom, offering a glimpse into her daily life. Just across from the museum stands the Ashliyah Mosque, where Rahmah first held the teaching and learning activities of Diniyah Putri. Rahmah’s life story reflects her unwavering determination to challenge the restrictions placed on women’s education in her time, a struggle that reshaped society’s perception of women for generations to come. Even today, her struggle remains deeply relevant and stands as a source of inspiration. Co-written by Vino Hadiz (in Indonesian) Translation edited by Liza Hadiz Top Image: Wikipedia ###### Visit the Sage II Vacation Home in Sawahlunto ###### Contact: gidien.ryaan@gmail.com | +6281296144491 ###### More about the blog: https://sage2vacationhome.wordpress.com/about/ ###### Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sagedua/ ###### Asosiasi Homestay Sawahlunto: https://www.homestaysawahlunto.com/ **Sources:** Langgam.id (2026) _Mengenal Rahmah El Yunusiyah Peraih Gelar Pahlawan Nasional Asal Sumbar yang Ditetapkan Hari Ini_. https://langgam.id/mengenal-rahmah-el-yunusiyah-peraih-gelar-pahlawan-nasional-asal-sumbar-yang-ditetapkan-hari-ini/ [Accessed 21 March 2026]. PERSIS (2026) _Tokoh Pendidikan PERSIS Rahmah El Yunusiyah Dianugerahi Gelar Pahlawan Nasional_. https://persis.or.id/news/read/tokoh-pendidikan-persis-rahmah-el-yunusiyah-dianugerahi-gelar-pahlawan-nasional [Accessed 21 March 2026]. Pustaka Arsip Kampar (2026) _Rahmah El Yunusiyah: Syaikhah Dunia Pendidikan Perempuan_. https://pustakaarsip.kamparkab.go.id/artikel-detail/1198/rahmah-el-yunusiyah–syaikhah-dunia-pendidikan-perempuan/ [Accessed 21 March 2026]. SINDOnews (2025) _Profil Rahmah El Yunusiyyah, Tokoh Perempuan Minangkabau yang Dianugerahi Gelar Pahlawan Nasional_. https://nasional.sindonews.com/newsread/1642461/15/profil-rahmah-el-yunusiyyah-tokoh-perempuan-minangkabau-yang-dianugerahi-gelar-pahlawan-nasional-1762751507 [Accessed 21 March 2026]. Wikipedia (2026) _Museum Rahmah El Yunusiyah_. https://id.wikipedia.org/wiki/Museum_Rahmah_El_Yunusiyah [Accessed 16 April 2026]. Wikipedia (2025) _Rahmah El Yunusiyah_. https://id.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rahmah_El_Yunusiyah [Accessed 21 March 2026]. ### Bagikan ini: * Bagikan ke X(Membuka di jendela yang baru) X * Bagikan ke Linkedln(Membuka di jendela yang baru) LinkedIn * Bagikan pada Facebook(Membuka di jendela yang baru) Facebook * Suka Memuat... ### _Terkait_

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