My mother gave birth to me on the floor of our apartment in Mecca with only my toddler sister to help her because my father was at work and no male guardian was available to take her to a hospital. Manal al-Sharif More Quotes by Manal al-Sharif More Quotes From Manal al-Sharif A child cannot be free if his/her mother is not free. A husband cannot be free if his wife is not free. The society is nothing if women are nothing. Manal al-Sharif husbandmotherchildren Who do you think is more difficult to face: oppressive governments, or oppressive societies? Manal al-Sharif governmentfacesthinking The rain begins with a single drop. Manal al-Sharif rain We won't stop until the first Saudi license is issued to a woman. Manal al-Sharif saudislicensefirsts When I see something wrong, I speak up. Manal al-Sharif wrongsomethingseespeak The bicycle freed 19th-century women from their homes and from their dependence on men. I hope that in Saudi Arabia, the car will do the same. Manal al-Sharif womencarhopemen When women break that taboo and they're not afraid to drive that car by herself - that's it. Now she has the guts to speak up for herself and take action. Manal al-Sharif drivewomencarspeak My message to the world is to surrender your ego: try not to think that you are not as fortunate as some people or inferior or not as good as someone else. Manal al-Sharif goodyouegopeople We should not label people who speak up, because it should not be the exception - it should be the norm. When you see something wrong, you speak up. Manal al-Sharif seeyouspeakpeople When you see corruption, when you see injustice, you speak up. You don't just shut up and say it's none of my business. Manal al-Sharif youcorruptionspeakbusiness I almost got kidnapped trying to find a taxi in the street. In Saudi Arabia, it's not normal for a woman to walk in the street alone, and I don't cover my face, so I am an open target. Manal al-Sharif womani-amalonewalk In Saudi Arabia, they always tell us we are queens. We are pistachios. You know the nut? Like something that is protected. So even if you have a very good education, restraints are put on women. Manal al-Sharif goodyouwomeneducation All I did was ask for rights. I didn't attack anyone. I didn't harass anyone. I didn't oppose the system or the country or the authority. All I said is, 'Why can't I drive?' Manal al-Sharif driveauthoritysaidcountry It took me a long, long time to break the chains that's inside me. Manal al-Sharif melong-timetimelong Women tell me they are different since 21 May - the day I was arrested - it's a positive change, they believe now. Manal al-Sharif daymechangepositive Women want to drive and they are taking actual steps towards that. Manal al-Sharif drivewomenwantsteps Denying women the right to drive has imposed huge costs on Saudi citizens. Manal al-Sharif costsrightdrivewomen Everything is possible; we just need to be hopeful and think of the world from a human perspective. The world is so small compared to the universe, so we shouldn't fight for petty things. Manal al-Sharif fightperspectiveuniverseworld For us, driving is not what we are looking for, but being in the driver's seat of our only destiny. That means ending guardianship in Saudi Arabia, which means recognizing women as full citizens. Manal al-Sharif endinglookingwomendestiny I always say that countries that keep women in the backseat will always end up on the wrong side of history. Manal al-Sharif endwillwomenhistory
