Malak Almunuify stands as the first female president for University of Oregon’s Saudi Student Association.

“I am the first woman to be a leader in Eugene, but I am not the first woman to be a leader,” Almunuify said. “Women are being leaders is not new.”

In the beginning of the school year, the SSA conducted a formal celebration for the National Day for Saudi Arabia with 150 people and gifts provided for children.

“The goal was to show Americans and everyone our culture,” Almunuify said.

Abdulrhman “AJ” Aljaafari, previous SSA President and current EMU Board of Directors member said when he was president he had a female vice president, who he attributes many of his successes to.

“Culture plays a huge role in both men and women understanding,” Aljaafari said. “There is a council similar to congress in Saudi Arabia, and for the past five years, there has been a woman in that council and that’s a huge deal for women.”

Making headway in the recent media is Saudi Arabia’s new election of women into the municipal councils and how 130,000 women are now registered to vote.

“Now women are given the chance to vote,” Aljaafari said. “It’s very important for women to see themselves as leaders. It is important to have both males and females to change misconceptions about Saudis.”

Fahma Mohammed, former Muslim Student Association board member, said the way Americans see Muslims is based off extremists reported by the media.

“The way Americans see women in Islam is what they see in the media,” Mohammed said. “I honestly blame not only the individuals, [but also] the media to how Americans see Muslims.”

Mohammed said she acknowledges the growth that Muslims have achieved regarding the value of women, which is in contrast to what many Americans choose to believe.

“Back in the day, men knew what roles they had, and women knew what they had to do for the family and it was very separated,” Mohammed said. “Now, men grow up and they have the value of women taught to them. It’s this very equal understanding that just because I am a woman, I don’t have to be put down.”

Aljaafari said he suggested the idea of presidency to Almunuify and she was very surprised. However, Almunuify said she grew excited about the idea and her family supported her.

“When I first thought about being president, I called my brother and my family and they were very supportive of it and called me every day,” Almunuify said. “Family might be the most important and all of my friends are like my family. Men and women alike, we are a family to create a good environment here for all Saudi students and international students.”

Almunuify said she plans to create more of a community between all of the international groups, as there is a noticeable separation between them.

“International Student Groups are all kind of isolated by themselves, Saudi by themselves and Arab by themselves. It’s important for the UO community to be as unified as possible despite the culture and backgrounds,” Aljaafari said. “I know [Almunuify] will represent the community very well.”

Almunuify said she is focused on not only giving women a voice, but also making the community feel satisfied.

“We just want people to be happy,” Almunuify said.