In a country where only a generation ago it was virtually unknown for women to work outside the home, young Emirati women such as Nadia Zaal are stepping into business leaderships positions with confidence and commitment.

Zaal, who is only in her twenties, is  the CEO of Zaya, an Abu Dhabi-based, family-owned realty company.

"I think women today are living in golden times and all you need is belief and dedication.

"Women are taking up the top and the most coveted positions in the professional field. It all boils down to what you believe in and how focused you are on realising your dreams. If you think positive and are aware of what you want in your life, it will manifest."

SUCHITRA BAJPAL CHAUDRAY
Gulf News (UAE)

You know that old cliché “we’ve got so many things to be thankful for”?

Well, guess what? Like many clichés, I’ve discovered that, for me at least, this one turns out to be true.

Not only that, the more things I’m thankful for, the more they seem to multiply.

When I was little,
I used to believe in the concept of one best friend,
And then I started to become a woman.
And then I found out that if you allow your heart to open up,
God would show you the best in many friends.

Talk show host Oprah Winfrey, one of the most powerful women in the world today, delivered the commencement address at Stanford University on June 16, 2008.

Here is the full text of her speech (to watch the video, click here):

Thank you, President Hennessy, and to the trustees and the faculty, to all of the parents and grandparents, to you, the Stanford graduates. Thank you for letting me share this amazing day with you.