Manal al-Sharif is a computer scientist and activist from Mecca, Saudi Arabia. She is single and was born in 1979. She defied prejudiced ideas about women's rights in Saudi Arabia by daring to drive a car, which was an important step toward greater liberty. As a technology professional, she has also advocated for women's rights and empowerment through public speaking at conferences. She started a campaign in 2011 to encourage more Saudi women to drive cars despite the ban, and her petition was successful in getting the ban lifted.