"I am very proud of where I came from. I am a saudi girl born and raised, learned english in Saudi Arabia. I acquired my degree in Business Administration from New Haven University. I traveled the world, I've been to more than 70 countries and it opened my eyes to many cultures. So I consider myself a globalized citizen and it taught me to build bridges, to become more tolerant and understanding, and I think it opens your eyes when you learn more, educate yourself and open yourself to people's cultures. |
Epsilon Alpha Sigma is delighted to announce our last Empowered Arab Woman of the Month for 2013. This month’s recipient, Princess Ameerah Al-Taweel, is a royal, a businesswoman and a philanthropist. She is well recognized for her humanitarian work within Saudi Arabia and around the globe. She has been interviewed by major news stations in the United States and has attended and spoken on numerous panels and at meetings focusing on issues ranging from women’s rights to youth employment. As a royal in a country where women face a restrictive lifestyle, she uses her position to support and promote the advancement of women’s rights and empowerment. She is recognized as an achiever and leader of her generation, and is committed to the progress of women and youth in Saudi society and countries abroad.
As the wife of His Royal Highness Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal, businessman and nephew of the Saudi Arabian King, she has a strong source of support and encouragement allowing her to engage hands on in her country’s progress and work alongside her husband in many global projects. Their philanthropic presence extends worldwide, contributing to projects in over 70 countries. She is the vice-chairwoman of the Board of Trustees of the Alwaleed bin Talal Foundation, a local and global non-profit organization dedicated to supporting programs and projects aimed at poverty alleviation, disaster relief, women’s empowerment and interfaith dialogue. In 2010, she received the ITP Special Humanitarian Award on behalf of the Alwaleed bin Talal Foundation at the Arabian Business Achievement Awards Ceremony. Her latest project is an initiative through the Foundation called Opt4Unity, which aims to bring together an “uncommon table” of business leaders, investors, and philanthropists to address international challenges in jobs, food, and education.
As a graduate of The University of New Haven in West Haven, Connecticut, United States, with a degree in business administration, Princess Ameerah understands the importance of education, especially for women empowerment. At the Clinton Global Initiative, Princess Ameerah noted that 57% of university graduates in Saudi Arabia are women, though women account for only 15% of the workforce. She says that “for us women, we are very educated, but we are not organized,” and expresses how she is working to change that employment statistic using her husband’s foundation: “we’re creating the first women leaders network in Saudi Arabia. We have women leaders in different sectors. They get together, they set priorities and how to tackle these priorities and reach their voices to the right people. This is a step that I think will create a positive change.” Princess Ameerah also proposes building institutions of civil society and NGOs as a way to facilitate the concerns and demands of citizens and emphasizes that prosperity in the region begins by encouraging enterprise and investing in youth.
In addition, Princess Ameerah has opened an orphanage in Burkina Faso and spearheaded humanitarian trips to Pakistan and Somalia. She is a member of the Board of Trustees of Silatech, an international youth employment organization, and formally opened the Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Centre for Islamic Studies at Cambridge University, alongside Prince Phillip. Princess Ameerah is the Founder and CEO of a holding company, Time Entertainment, which aims to revive the media and entertainment industry, while providing and engaging content for Arab youth. She is the Chairwoman and Co-Founder of Tasamy Social Initiatives Center with a unique and disciplined approach to funding and facilitating social initiatives to help Arab youth learn how to create sustainable small businesses that produce profits and positive results for their communities.
Princess Ameerah’s grace and elegance compliment her intelligence and passion, making her an exemplary role model for Arab women globally and one that is highly regarded by the Doves of Epsilon Alpha Sigma. Princess Ameerah continues to speak out for equal rights, women’s empowerment, community development, and youth employment and her leadership in each of these areas inspires Epsilon Alpha Sigma and we are honored to present her with this award.
As the wife of His Royal Highness Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal, businessman and nephew of the Saudi Arabian King, she has a strong source of support and encouragement allowing her to engage hands on in her country’s progress and work alongside her husband in many global projects. Their philanthropic presence extends worldwide, contributing to projects in over 70 countries. She is the vice-chairwoman of the Board of Trustees of the Alwaleed bin Talal Foundation, a local and global non-profit organization dedicated to supporting programs and projects aimed at poverty alleviation, disaster relief, women’s empowerment and interfaith dialogue. In 2010, she received the ITP Special Humanitarian Award on behalf of the Alwaleed bin Talal Foundation at the Arabian Business Achievement Awards Ceremony. Her latest project is an initiative through the Foundation called Opt4Unity, which aims to bring together an “uncommon table” of business leaders, investors, and philanthropists to address international challenges in jobs, food, and education.
As a graduate of The University of New Haven in West Haven, Connecticut, United States, with a degree in business administration, Princess Ameerah understands the importance of education, especially for women empowerment. At the Clinton Global Initiative, Princess Ameerah noted that 57% of university graduates in Saudi Arabia are women, though women account for only 15% of the workforce. She says that “for us women, we are very educated, but we are not organized,” and expresses how she is working to change that employment statistic using her husband’s foundation: “we’re creating the first women leaders network in Saudi Arabia. We have women leaders in different sectors. They get together, they set priorities and how to tackle these priorities and reach their voices to the right people. This is a step that I think will create a positive change.” Princess Ameerah also proposes building institutions of civil society and NGOs as a way to facilitate the concerns and demands of citizens and emphasizes that prosperity in the region begins by encouraging enterprise and investing in youth.
In addition, Princess Ameerah has opened an orphanage in Burkina Faso and spearheaded humanitarian trips to Pakistan and Somalia. She is a member of the Board of Trustees of Silatech, an international youth employment organization, and formally opened the Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Centre for Islamic Studies at Cambridge University, alongside Prince Phillip. Princess Ameerah is the Founder and CEO of a holding company, Time Entertainment, which aims to revive the media and entertainment industry, while providing and engaging content for Arab youth. She is the Chairwoman and Co-Founder of Tasamy Social Initiatives Center with a unique and disciplined approach to funding and facilitating social initiatives to help Arab youth learn how to create sustainable small businesses that produce profits and positive results for their communities.
Princess Ameerah’s grace and elegance compliment her intelligence and passion, making her an exemplary role model for Arab women globally and one that is highly regarded by the Doves of Epsilon Alpha Sigma. Princess Ameerah continues to speak out for equal rights, women’s empowerment, community development, and youth employment and her leadership in each of these areas inspires Epsilon Alpha Sigma and we are honored to present her with this award.
RSS Feed