On August 30, 1949, Sevasti Qiriazi Dako, a teacher, patriot, and pioneer of education for Albanian girls and women, passed away.
Born on February 24, 1871, in Manastir, Qiriazi became one of the earliest pioneers of organized national education for Albanian girls and women. She also played an important role in advancing women’s social emancipation.
While living in Istanbul, she studied at the American College for Girls. In June 1891, she became the first Albanian woman to graduate from the American institution in Constantinople.
After returning to Albania, Qiriazi dedicated herself to establishing and leading the Girls’ School in Korçë. The school opened in 1891 and soon became an important center for educating girls and preparing future figures of the Albanian national movement.
Sevasti and her sister Parashqevi Qiriazi became prominent teachers and educators at the school.
Qiriazi also contributed to Albanian educational publishing and journalism. She wrote “Elementary Grammar for Primary Schools,” published in Manastir in 1912, and edited several school textbooks.
Together with her husband, journalist and writer Kristo Dako, and her sister Parashqevi, she first moved to Romania and later emigrated to the United States. There, she worked closely on the publication of the biweekly magazine “Yll’ i Mëngjesit”.
Qiriazi also took an active part in the Congress of Elbasan. She served on the committee that reviewed school textbooks established by the “Përparimi” society.
During her years in the diaspora, she also served as president of the Albanian National Party in the United States. From this position, she strongly defended Albanian rights and the national cause at various international forums.
Sevasti Qiriazi remains an emblematic figure in Albania’s national history. She devoted her life to education, women’s empowerment, and the advancement of Albanian national identity. Her work helped open new opportunities for generations of Albanian girls and women.
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