Begum Rokeya Sakhawat Hossain, commonly known as Begum Rokeya, was a prominent Bengali writer, social reformer, and women's rights activist born on December 9, 1880, in Bengal. She is best known for her pioneering work in advocating for women's education and empowerment in a patriarchal society. Rokeya founded the first Muslim girls' school in Calcutta in 1911, called Sakhawat Memorial Girls' School. Her literary contributions, including the famous novella "Sultana's Dream," highlighted gender inequality and envisioned a progressive society where women could thrive. She passed away on December 9, 1932, leaving a lasting legacy in the fight for women's rights.