Dr. Nawal Al-Saadawi is 80. She is an author, professor, psychiatrist, and feminist activist whose books and organizations were repeatedly banned under the governments of Anwar Sadat and Hosni Mubarak. She went to Tahrir Square during the most violent period of clashes in late January, and was with the protesters until the resignation of Hosni Mubarak on Feb. 11, 2011.

This interview with Al-Saadawi was conducted in her home in the working-class Cairo neighborhood of Shobra on Feb. 26. The next day, Al-Saadawi hosted a group of young activists planning a “Million Woman March” to coincide with International Women’s Day on March 8.

Here’s the rest of my story on feminism rising in Egypt, and see a slideshow of photos.