Inspirational Saudi Women

Every year on March 8th, the world celebrates International Women's Day (IWD) and takes a moment to appreciate the accomplishments of women worldwide. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has provided opportunities for women to excel and become pioneers in various fields.

The Vision 2030 reforms have led to significant progress for Saudi women, who are now thriving and setting examples for future generations. In this article, we will highlight 6 top who are worth celebrating every day and who are making a positive impact in their respective fields.

Here is a list of some influential and inspirational Saudi women:

HRH Princess Reema Bint Bandar

Princess Reema is the first Saudi woman to become the Ambassador to the United States. She is renowned for her vocal advocacy for women empowerment in the Kingdom and has worked in diverse fields to ensure that. Princess Reema is also a permanent member of UNESCO and was nominated to become a member of the International Olympic Committee. In 2019, Princess Reema was appointed as the Saudi Ambassador to the United States, a role that her late father held for over two decades, becoming the first woman to hold the position. Princess Reema, who played a significant role in promoting women's rights and gender equality in Saudi Arabia, has held several leadership positions in the private sector before she became the first woman to lead a Saudi multi-sports federation, serving as President of the Mass Participation Federation.

Shihana Alazzaz

Alazzaz, who holds a bachelor’s degree in law with honors from Durham University in UK, is one of the first women licensed to practice law in Saudi Arabia. After practicing law for a few years, Alazzaz joined the Public Investment Fund (PIF) as head of transactions in 2017 and was promoted to secretary general and general counsel of the PIF Board of Directors in 2018. In July of 2022, King Salman bin Abdulaziz appointed Alazzaz as the Deputy Secretary-General of the Council of Ministers, making her the first first Saudi woman to hold the position.

Mishaal Ashemimry

Ashemimry the first female aerospace engineer in the Gulf region. She is also an Aerospace Entrepreneur who started her own rocket company, MISHAAL Aerospace, at age 26, pilot, and influencer. In 2022, Ashemimry elected vice president of the International Astronautical Federation, becoming the first Saudi woman to hold the position. The Saudi-American public speaker and influencer holds bachelor’s degree in applied mathematics and aerospace engineering and a master’s degree in aerospace engineering, both from the Florida Institute of technology. In 2015, Ashemimry won the Inspirational Woman of the Year Award at the Arab Women Awards, and in 2018 she received an award for her scientific achievements from King Salman bin Abdulaziz.

Haifaa Al Mansour

Al Mansour is the first Saudi female filmmaker and is considered a pioneer in the Saudi film industry. She studied comparative literature at The American University in Cairo before completing a master's degree in Film Studies from University of Sydney, Australia. Al Mansour's debut feature film "Wadjda" (2012), about a young girl's desire to own a bicycle in Saudi Arabia, received international critical acclaim, and was the first feature-length film shot entirely in Saudi Arabia by a female director. Her filmography also includes, "The Perfect Candidate" (2019), "Mary Shelley" (2017).

Sarah al-Suhaimi 

Al Suhaimi, who has been involved in the financial services industry for two decades, is currently serving as the Chairperson of the Saudi Tadawul Group. She was recently appointed as the head of Lazard's financial advisory business in the MENA region in September 2022. Prior to this, Al-Suhaimi was the CEO of Saudi National Bank Capital.

Mariam Saleh bin Laden

Mariam Saleh bin Laden, a Saudi swimmer, doctor, and humanitarian, is the first Arab and Saudi woman to swim from Saudi Arabia to Egypt via the Strait of Tiran in the Red Sea to raise awareness about the refugee crisis in Syria in 2022. Back in 2016, Dr. Mariam also made history in Saudi Arabia by becoming the first person to individually swim the entire length of the English Channel setting a new record for the Kingdom. Dr. Mariam is involved in several humanitarian causes, including establishing the first dental clinic at a hospital in Jordan's Al Azraq Refugee Camp in 2016. The clinic provides free dental services to patients.

Lubna Olayan

Lubna Olayan was ranked 11th on Forbes' list of influential women. She led Olayan Finance as CEO for more than three decades and retired from her position in 2019. In the same year, Olayan was appointed as the chairwoman of Saudi British Bank (SABB), and she had previously served as the chair of the board of Alawwal Bank, which merged with SABB in 2021. Olayan was also the first woman to join the board of directors of a company listed in Saudi Arabia. She serves on the boards of Olayan Finance, Schlumberger, Ma'aden, Allianz, McKinsey & Co., Bank of America Merrill Lynch, and Akbank.

Basmah Abdulaziz Al-Mayman

Basmah Abdulaziz Al-Mayman has been leading the GCC since 2018 as the Regional Director for the Middle East at the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) making her the first woman to hold the position. She is also the first GCC member to assume a leadership role in the UNWTO. In 2020, Al-Mayman was recognized as one of the youngest CEOs in the MENA region by the World Bank.

Jomana R. Al-Rashid

Al-Rashid has been CEO of SRMG since October 2020. She previously worked as a senior media advisor and communications director at the Saudi Embassy in London. She also holds several other high-profile positions, including Chairperson of the Red Sea Film Festival Foundation and Chairman of Thmanyah Publishing and Distribution.

Lulwah Al Homoud

Al Homoud is a Saudi Arabian artist who lives and works in the United Kingdom and whose works blend calligraphy, mathematics, and Islamic art. Inspired by both Western and Islamic artists, she deconstructs Arabic script to devise a unique visual language. Her art has been exhibited in international museums, including the British Museum and LACMA. She has designed logos and calligraphic panels for international events and curated international exhibitions since 1999. Her work is part of the Saudi Curriculum and has been exhibited globally. Al Homoud is an influential figure in the art world and a member of the board of directors of the Art and Design Association in Saudi Arabia.