The Saudi Woman Who Dared to Drive

By Jane Friedman

November 8th, 2012

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Manal al-Sharif

Manal al-Sharif was born in Saudi Arabia in 1979. That means, for her entire life in her country:

•  She was covered from head to toe in public
•  Separation between genders was strictly enforced
•  There were no sports for women
•  The acceptable occupations for women were considered health care and education
•  Even though she loved to draw, she could not draw animals or people
•  Women were not allowed to drive or even talk about women driving

    One day, she did the unthinkable. She got in a car and started driving.

    Read her story, in her own words, here.


    Category: Fall 2012: Female Conscience

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