Edna Adan Ismail founded the first charity Maternity Hospital in Somaliland in 2002. A Registered Nurse/Midwife by profession since 1961, she helped found Smali Red Crescent Society and held several positions with the World Health Organization. In 1976, she become the first women to be appointed Director in the Ministry of Health in Somalia; served as the Minister of Family Welfare and Social Development and the only female Cabinet Minister in 2002; and as the Somaliland Minister of Foreign Affairs from 2003-2006. She is an activist for human rights and gender issues and, among her many honors, was receipient of the AMANITARE Award for Africa in 2002.