Active in women’s development movement since early sixties, Taherunessa Abdullah worked at the Comilla Academy for Rural Development for nine years as instructor in charge of the Women’s Education and Home Development Program (IRDP). She was Chairman, Bangladesh Shishu Academy and Bangladesh Jatiyo Mohila Sangstha and Chairperson of the core groups for preparation of National Plan of Action for Children, 1997 -2002. She was also a member of the team responsible for the preparation of the National Action Plan for Women’s Development: Implementation of Beijing Platform for Action. She was a member of Local Government Commission.

Mrs. Abdullah served as member of Board of trustees, International Rice Research Institute, Philippines (1984 -88) and Aga Khan University, Pakistan (1991 – 1994). At present she is the Chairperson of Gono Bishwabidyalay and Founder Member of the Independent University of Bangladesh. She is the Chairperson of ASA, an NGO and member of the Board of Directors, Polli Karma Shahayk foundation and BRAC.

She received the Ramon Magsaysay Award for Community Leadership in 1978. She has written a number of papers and articles on her work and in 1982 published a book, Rural Women of Bangladesh – Prospects for Change, co-authored with Dr. Sondra Zeidenstein.

Tahrunnesa Abdullah received her M.A. from Dhaka University and M.S. from Michigan State University.