This page is approximately a 2 minute read

Dr Cleopatra Doumbia-Henry: Ocean educator

President of the World Maritime University
Location: Malmö, Sweden

Equity & Transparency

Carly Fields, Journalist

Carly Fields is an award-winning specialist maritime journalist and editor. For over 20 years, she has been reporting on wide issues in the shipping industry, from the risks of isolation among seafarers and piracy off Somalia to the sector’s route to decarbonisation and future shipping tech.

Introduction

This online exhibition recounts the career of Dr Cleopatra Doumbia-Henry, as part of the wider SHE_SEES component of the Rewriting Women into Maritime History exhibition. SHE SEES celebrates women’s contributions to the maritime industry through capturing the stories of contemporary female professionals in the UK. Through captivating interviews and stunning photographs, we delve into their stories, bridging the maritime past, present, and the future.

An Ocean Educator

Dr Cleopatra Doumbia-Henry's extraordinary journey is an unyielding testament to the power of perseverance and the transformative force of education. Hailing from a humble background on a small island, she defied the odds and soared to remarkable heights, leaving an indelible mark on the maritime world.

Growing up in a close-knit family, she faced challenges early on when her mother passed away at 45, leaving her father to care for their 11 children. Despite these hardships, their unity and her father's influence as an educator propelled her forward. From an early age, Cleopatra’s father instilled in her a sense of ambition and resilience. He encouraged her and her siblings to seize every opportunity that came their way and pursue higher education.

Click on each image to view the exhibition.