The First Saudi Women To…
With increasing freedoms, the role of women in Saudi society is changing rapidly, enabling them to reach new heights in politics, aviation, sports, and business. Here are some of the trailblazers.
Hanan Al-Ahmadi First Saudi woman to… be assistant speaker of the Saudi Shura Council
In October 2020, Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz issued a royal order to appoint Hanan Al-Ahmadi as the assistant speaker of the Saudi Shura Council. Taking the third highest position in the council, Al-Ahmadi became the first female to occupy a leadership role in the council in its 90+ year history. Al-Ahmadi holds a master's degree in healthcare management, and a PhD in public health.
Sarah Attar and Wojdan Shaherkani First Saudi women to… reach the Olympics
In 2012, Sarah Attar and Wojdan Shaherkani became the first two Saudi women to represent their country in the summer Olympics. Attar is a track and field athlete who represented Saudi Arabia in the Women's 800 Meters Olympics competition in 2012, and in the marathon in 2016. Shaherkani competed in the judo “above 78kg” category in 2012.
Reema Al Saud First Saudi woman to… be a Saudi Ambassador to Washington
In 2019, Princess Reema bint Bandar bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al Saud became the country's first female envoy. The princess served in multiple political and official positions in and outside of Saudi Arabia, including serving as the President of the Saudi Federation for Community Sports, in which she became the first woman to head a multi-sport federation in the kingdom.
Raha Moharrak First Saudi woman to… climb Mount Everest
In 2013, at the age of 27, Raha Moharrak became the youngest Arab and the first Saudi woman to reach the summit of the world's highest mountain, Mount Everest. Moharrak started her journey in 2011 when she reached the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. Moharrak is also a graphic designer.
Reema Juffali First Saudi woman to… be a professional racing driver
In 2017, when women were allowed to drive in Saudi Arabia, Reema Juffali became the first Saudi woman to obtain her racing driving license. In 2019, Juffali represented her country in the F4 British Championship at Brands Hatch to become the first Saudi woman to participate in an international car racing tournament.
Hanadi Al-Hindi First Saudi woman to… fly a plane
Al-Hindi received her private pilot license in 2001, and her commercial pilot license from the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) in 2013, becoming the first Saudi woman to receive such a license in the kingdom.
Lubna Olayan First Saudi woman to… chair a Saudi listed company
In 2004, Olayan was elected to the board of Alawwal Bank – the first woman to join the board of a Saudi publicly listed company. In 2019, after the merger between the Saudi British Bank and Alawwal Bank, she was appointed as chairperson of the newly-formed company, becoming the first Saudi woman to head a Saudi-listed firm and publicly traded bank. Olayan holds a master's degree in business administration.
Douha Al Otaishan First Saudi woman to… be a head chef
When the Golden Tulip Andalusia Hotel in Riyadh hired Douha Abdullah Al Otaishan to be the executive chef in its restaurant, she became the country's first female head chef. Al Otaishan hosts her own cooking show, Matbakh Douha and holds a master's degree in social services.