Princess Reema bint Bandar.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has named HRH Princess Reema bint Bandar as ambassador to the US, making her the first woman envoy in the country’s history. She replaces the former ambassador to the United States, Prince Khalid bin Salman, son of King Salman and a younger brother of the crown prince, who assumed the role in 2017.
Though the royal has no prior political experience, many officials will be familiar with her name as her father, Prince Bandar bin Sultan served as the Kingdom’s ambassador to the United States between 1983 and 2005. A staunch advocator for the empowerment of women, ambitious businesswoman, entrepreneur, and humanitarian, we can’t think of anyone better suited for the role. To mark the historic occasion, we compile a selection of some of her most inspirational quotes below.
On overcoming criticism
“If you stand still, you give them the power to push you down. If you keep walking, they have to follow you.”
On opportunities
“The choices that women have today are greater than yesterday and every day they will grow more.”
On her role
“As a woman in government my role is actually to keep highlighting the issues that will keep pushing women forward.”
On the headscarf
“If you could get over their appearance and try to judge a woman based on her capability rather than her appearance, I think we all, as a global community, would go much farther.”
On equality
“It’s important for me to make sure that the men see and recognize that that woman is their equal.”
On Saudi’s conservative dress codes
“It’s time to focus on Saudi women’s capabilities, not their clothes.”
On the driving reform
“There are so many things that we as women… would like to focus on that to no longer have to talk about women’s driving and to be able to be active participants, it’s a relief”
On male guardianship laws
“This is a topic of conversation and I can tell you as a divorced mother of two, this is urgent…Is it going to happen today? I couldn’t tell you. Would I like to see it in the near future? Absolutely, and as a woman in government my role is actually to keep highlight the issues that will keep pushing women forward holistically not just as an elite community or as a small community — it’s for a national interest.”
Now Read: HRH Princess Reema bint Bandar is Saudi’s First Female Ambassador to the US
