The common theme among the 30 women is willingness to work toward the common good.
The new appointees on the 150-member council are highly educated and have had distinguished careers at research centers, hospitals and universities.
"The most important issue is serving the whole nation, not a certain class or region," said Haya bint Abdulaziz Al-Manea, the first Saudi woman doctor in biotechnology, and one of the new members. She added that King Abdullah’s decision marks the start of a renaissance. She said all her colleagues are committed to working hard to help develop the country. Al-Manea is currently at Harvard University in the US to complete a program that she developed to sponsor innovators.
Salwa Al-Hazza, chief scientist at the research center at King Faisal Hospital, and ophthalmology consultant professor at the Faculty of Medicine at the University of King Faisal, said that the leadership’s confidence was a chance for her to show that Saudi women are worthy and can perform well in such positions. She said that the responsibility of the task ahead motivates her to do the best she can and to be a role model for every Saudi woman.
"It is a big responsibility and we hope to do the best we can," said Firdaus Al-Saleh, professor of nuclear physics and a deputy at Princess Noura University. She thanked King Abdullah and added that she has many ideas and projects to propose to the Council.
Ilham Al-Mahjoob, assistant professor in the Department of Computer Studies at Umm Al-Qura University, said, "It is a real and clear step to make Saudi women a true partner in the development and advancement of the country that is based on Islamic law in the Kingdom."
Hamda Al-Anzi, associate professor at the University of King Faisal, said: "The presence of Saudi women in the Council may lead in future to positions in the Council of Ministers." She said Saudi women have been able to make significant contributions to the country in a short time, in comparison with other nations.
She said she would raise issues on the rights of women and children in the Council’s sessions. The involvement of women will ensure a greater discussion of these issues.
