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Thousand Oaks, CA. Ferial Masry will describe the imagination and common purpose, she attained living in America and
experiencing Democracy for the first time on February 23, 2009 at 7:00PM at the Barnes & Noble Booksellers , 160 S. Westlake Blvd.
Thousand Oaks, CA 91362.

Masry will give her presentation, answer questions and book sign her first edition, "Running for all the Right Reasons: A Saudi-born Woman's Pursuit of Democracy" published by Syracuse Press, New York. ISBN#0-8156-0911-6. According to television host Peter Jennings , the title of her book was the expression that described experiences she had in running for the 37th Assembly District in 1994 when he interviewed her on ABC's "Person of the Week".

Masry's eloquent story-telling style allows you to enter the mind of a Muslim woman born in Mecca and brought up in Saudi Arabia and Egypt in an upper middle class environment. She came to the United States and eventually became a naturalized citizen. She soon became interested in social issues. She went on to earn her Master's degree in school administration and became a public high school educator teaching American History, government and economics. When she learned that her son, who had enlisted in the national guard, had been called to serve in Iraq, she vehemently objected. Realizing she couldn't stop him from being shipped off to fight what she perceived as an unjust war, she became involved in politics, eventually leading her to pursue a seat on the California State Assembly.

James Zogby is the founder and president of the Arab American Institute, president of Builders for Peace, and co-owner of the Zogby International poll, who wrote her forward, offers: . . .

a thoughtful friend of mine, the foreign minister of the United Arab Emirates ,
Abdullah bin Zayid, insightfully notes, "Just as we Arabs will never be able to help Americans understand us, until we understand them first; you Americans will not be able to help us understand you, until you understand us first." Quiet simply, because Ferial Masry understands both worlds so well, she plays a powerful role in bridging the divide. In this book you will meet her. She is well worth meeting".

Masry as a "strong Arab-American woman was able to smash stereotypes ... " and beyond the celebrated national news stories Masry learns that grassroots campaigning in a predominately Republican area isn't easy. She stresses how women's leadership roles are different in the United States and encourages citizens to get involved and become personally active and educated in our
democracy.

Ann Kerr, author of Painting the Middle East says: "A great American story as well as a great Arab American story. . . . Ferial Masry's book provides a bridge of understanding about Muslims in America."

Nancy Gallagher, professor at University of California, Santa Barbara says: "This wonderful book tells the story of how Ferial Masry, a
Muslim woman from Mecca, grew up in Saudi Arabia and Egypt, came to America, and became a community activist, public high school teacher, and politician. Her experiences as the Democratic candidate for California's 37th Assembly District show how ordinary
people really can participate in the democratic political process and effectively work for change at local, national, and international levels. "

This event is opened to the entire community. Call (805) 446-2820 for directions only. Limited seating, arrive early, free parking. To
RSVP for the presentation please leave message and name at (661)295-9318 or email minwilli@gmail.com.