Most people in the West have an all too stereotypical view of women from Saudi Arabia and their presence in the work force both within in the Kingdom, and around the world. For Saudi women these stereotypes are just that. Stereotypes. Saudi women are making groundbreaking strides from the financial sector to the government sector. Their power and presence in the workforce for original thought, reliability and productivity, shouldn't be underestimated. In fact since King Abdullah named 30 women to the Shoura Council in 2013, Saudi women have also competed in the last Summer Olympics; and can attend the first coeducational university – King Abdullah University for Science and Technology.
One Saudi woman having impact is Reem Al-Attas from Makkah. She's currently studying computer science and engineering at the University of Bridgeport in Connecticut and now has her very own registered patent in the United States. But this shouldn't really come as news to those who know Reem. She's been “breaking the glass ceiling” for women for a while. Here's how: Reem was the first female technical account manager at Microsoft in Saudi Arabia, and also the first female licensing sales specialist at Microsoft in the Kingdom. Speaking to the Saudi Gazette from Stratford, Connecticut, where she now lives, Reem said, “I feel I opened the door for gender diversity in the workplace and I left with 300 percent increase of female employees at Microsoft Saudi Arabia.”
It's perhaps why no one should be surprised with her invention — a helmet for cyclists with a light that indicates the direction the bike is moving in so motorists are aware which way they are moving. The helmet ensures their safety by combining headlight, taillight and side signals to warn other vehicles that drivers are about to travel their direction. Up to now, no one else had though of it. With an asking price of $60, this invention of Reem's is sure to make a lot of sales. Her idea was so unique she registered a patent for it in the United States
“I am very excited to have this patent. Now I can really start my own business. I have already contacted graduates from MIT, and they came up with the idea of making vending machines for my helmet, which I think, is a really great idea. I think focusing on the US market in the short term is the way to go right now.”
When people in the United States realize that it's a young woman from Saudi Arabia that came up with this new helmet invention Reem says, “Americans are always very welcoming. They think it's really cool that I invented this. I am just so grateful that I had this opportunity and support of great lawyers and of course the Saudi Arabian Cultural Mission in Washington D.C.”
As Reem is studying a degree in engineering, she decided to use passive infrared sensors that are built into the helmet to help navigate and indicate the direction. By doing so she integrated the turn signals into the head protection enclosure so it increases the cyclist's visibility. The hands free operation, without pushing any button, is as easy to the cyclist as it is easily combined with the hand signals. The adaptive light notification system may be used with a bicycle, a scooter, a motorcycle, a moped or other vehicle that requires protective headgear.
Reem is currently sourcing ideas of where to mass manufacture these helmets, and is exploring both China and Mexico as options. They will be available for sale in 2016.
In a sign of the strength and power of Saudi women and their determination to succeed in the workforce with the same equality as their male counterparts Reem told the Saudi Gazette, “I always knew I could invent something. I made it. I knew I would.” Reem is just one of many Saudi women with the talent to get things done.
