By Ferial Masry & Susan Chenard

On the publication of her book, Ferial Masry stated: "I have found a home with California  Democrats because they share my passion for preserving democracy, learning from history, embracing change and diversity to assure government works for all citizens. I am proud and humbled to be involved during this time of fundamental change where we as Americans will welcome a new President and inspiring leader like Barack Obama to the national stage."

On the very eve of the most important election of the early 21^st century a woman of character, an immigrant who loves democracy has a uniquely American story to tell us all.  Ferial Masry's story has just been published by the prestigious Syracuse University Press.

Ferial Masry is a passionate, intelligent and brave woman who brings a strong sense of fairness and decency to all she does.  Hers is a journey which parallels that of another American candidate, that of Barack Obama for the Presidency.  Ferial and her husband moved to the United States over twenty five years go and become citizens. After attending graduate school, Ferial became a public school teacher and teaches American history and government to high school students. Ferial is an optimist and a fighter who understands that she is a symbol of the need for understanding between the beliefs and aspirations of all people.  She is a Saudi born Muslim woman who received her education in Egypt and England. 

Ferial's decision to enter into the arena of California politics came from a strong need to explain how she as an immigrant and American patriot could express her support for American troops while opposing Bush's  war in Iraq. Ferial's entry in California politics is an astonishing story of her initial victory in a grassroots write-in campaign to gain a place on the Democratic ballot in 2004.  This primary victory exemplifies the Jeffersonian ideal, that of the most fundamental of American rights, that of patriotic decent in a free society.  As the book describes, Ferial's son was called to serve his country Iraq in 2003 where his language skills and understand of the country was very useful to the troops during the first days of the invasion.

During this time Ferial joined a local Democratic Party Club in the solidly Republican area of Conejo Valley just north of Los Angeles in Ventura County.  She spoke about her personal and professional experiences impressing the local democrats. In 2004 she committed to run for the California State Assembly seat held by a well known very right-wing Republican family. That year the Assemblyman's term was up and his wife was running to extend his tenure and fill his seat. The registration was heavily Republican at that time and that first race saw the Republican win.  Then the second race in 2006 against the same Republican opponent seasoned Ferial.  This year she is poised to win in a district with a new political reality that has seen a surge in Democratic registrations.  After five years of war and eight years of the Bush administration's horrific international blunders from in Iraq and Afghanistan abroad to the financial meltdown of laissez-faire market capitalism, to stalled reforms in health care and education the voters are ready for change.  Additionally, Ferial's district has a large proportion of Decline to State voters and they are evaluating the performance the current Republican candidates from President of the United States to the California State Senate and Assembly representatives.  They want to know if these Republicans share their values and what they have done to protect children from tobacco and pesticides, fashion realistic environmental safeguards, monitor bank lending institutions and support middle class citizens and small business owners. 

The publication of Running for All the Right Reasons - A Saudi-born Woman's Pursuit of Democracy will inspire you and introduce you to a woman who is a true and inspirational patriot.