Taweel, Chairwoman of the Alwaleed Bin Talal Foundation, received the “Woman Personality of the Year 2012” during the 11th Middle East Women Leaders Awards in Dubai on March 8. The award coincided with the International Women's Day. The award was presented to Princess Ameerah by Reem Al-Hashimy, UAE Minister of State, on behalf of The Middle East Excellence Awards Institute that was envisaged by Datamatix and hosted at Armani Hotel. Ali Al-Kamali, Managing Director of Datamatix, indicated that this award was given in recognition of Princess Ameerah's contributions across the globe for women empowerment and leadership through her work at Alwaleed Foundation. Princess Ameerah Al-Taweel delivered an acceptance speech before an audience of women leaders, entrepreneurs, and professionals. She said: “I present my award to all those women who strive to earn their rights, to the hardworking teacher who travels far distances each morning, giving all that she has to educate students so her own children are fed at night, to the divorced woman fighting in court to secure a safe home for her children, to those women who crossed all the barriers and are saving people's lives through their medical research. To all of the women achievers who were not given the attention or appreciation, each and every one of you deserves to be the woman of the year…” Princess Ameerah concluded her speech saying that women empowerment is not merely legislation and job creation but more importantly that empowerment is derived from family support, encouragement, and trust.
