WARNER CENTER KIWANIS KRYER

Aug 21, 2005

Ferial Masry, was born in Saudi Arabia and was  educated in England. A close friendwas moving to California and asked her to join her. She was always veryinquisitive and wondered what life would be like in America. She knew that there was a  love-hate relationship  with this country and she wanted to  fine out why first hand. Never afraid to brake with tradition, she married a man from Lebanon and never got or asked the King of Saudi Arabia for permission to do so. She is a bit of a rebel and thinks for her self.

After moving to Southern California she became a teacher. Being a great  believer in our governmental system and speaking out against certain political issues she was asked to run for political office as an Assembly member in the 37th District. With no money she decided to run against an opponent with lots in the cash drawer and Ferial put up a great campaign.

She talked about being responsible for  your actions. She also thought that Americans were the most creative people on earth and why leave all the decisions to the politicians? She must have been getting too close, because her opponent started rumors that Ferial was an “illegal immigrant and associated with terrorists”.

 Many local newspaper groups, L.A. Times and CNN, interviewed her. The late Peter Jennings from ABC News said… “A candidate for all the right reasons. A candidate with a vision for California. Voting for Ferial is voting change and common sense.” She did loose the election, but received a phone call from the State Dept. asking her to talk about American Democracy to the Jeddah Economic Form in Saudi Arabia. At first she thought it was a prank.  But later found she was to talk along side Madelyn Albright and other dignitaries. She asked why her? The answer was that being born in Saudi Arabia, she was the only person in the world that could tell them, from her heart, about America. Also she was also the first woman that has ever had her picture in a newspaper from that country shown without having her head covered.

Asked if she was worried about this photo, she said,  “No… this is the way I am!”

We thank Ferial Masry for her most energizing and refreshing talk.