June 3, 2007
Today we visited Zayed University in Abu Dhabi to hear a few speakers. We were lucky enough to here some very influential men and women speak. To be honest I wasn’t sure if they would even show up because of this whole “Middle Eastern time” theory, where people cancel last minute, and events change from hour to hour with no notice. I’ve gotten use to it now after spending 9 days in the UAE. However the most impressive speaker among the panel was Salwa S. Saad Shaibani. She is currently the treasurer of the Abu Dhabi Business Women Council; she is also an entrepreneur with many other companies. I found her speech motivating through her many achievements, for example starting her career in banking at a time when women leaders and women in high positions were non-existent in the UAE. Through all of Madam Salwa’s achievements and successful businesses she still presented her self in a rather humble fashion. Yet she made it clear that It was not easy for her to get where she is now and that it took very hard work, lots of listening, networking, etc. I truly believe if a woman in the UAE can surpass all of the cultural beliefs that most men and their conservative country hold, yet still progress into leadership roles and work in fields that are dominated by men and do a better job, there is no reason why I can’t do the same. I was lucky to hear her speak.
Alyce Hill
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment