Waleed grew up in Darayya and studied English Literature at Damascus University before becoming a teacher in her native Syria.

[5] Not having any journalistic training, Waleed teamed up with friends to report about civil war in Syria.

As their work gained momentum, they created the newspaper Enab Baladi with the intention of reporting the "voice of the vulnerable".

[4][6] Waleed and the newspaper claim that they have been subject to threats from multiple parties involved in the war which prompted her to live in hiding.

[8] Despite this, she also organised demonstrations, demanding democracy and free speech as well as highlighting human rights abuses.