Saudi–American Woman to Speak on America’s Freedoms, Local Issues

Ferial Masry, a high school teacher and potentially the first Saudi–American woman to be elected to political office in the country, will share her perspectives on America’s freedoms and responsibilities during the launch of California Lutheran University’s Perspectives Speaker Series on Wednesday, May 5, at 7 p.m. The presentation will be held in Nygreen, Hall Room 1.

Masry was born in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, a place where “women are practically invisible.” At the age of 10, her mother moved the family to Egypt so Masry and her six siblings could receive free public education. Later, she attended Cairo University and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in journalism.

A resident of Southern California since 1979, Masry teaches government and history at Cleveland High School in Los Angeles and has been nominated for KCET’s “Women Who Made a Difference in Southern California” award. Her candidacy for the California State Assembly from the 37th Assembly District has received national and international attention. Along with being published in the New York Times and Los Angeles Times and interviewed by CNN, she is scheduled to appear on the U.S. State Department’s TV channel in Iraq where her son Omar is serving in the U.S. military.

The Center for Leadership and Values was formed in 1999 by CLU School of Business to promote discussions of issues related to values, character and leadership within the University and the community. The Perspectives series will provide an ongoing exchange of ideas by examining the diverse set of experiences, beliefs and backgrounds of the American people. The Center is co–directed by Dr. Charles Maxey, Dean of the School of Business, and Dr. Jamshid Damooei, Professor of Economics.

Admission to the lecture is free and open to the public. For information, please call the CLU School of Business at (805) 493–3360.