PEOPLE Magazine has just listed Queen Rania and refugee Olympian Yusra Mardini in their latest "25 women changing the world."
The two women shared seventh place in the list which also included US First Lady Michelle Obama, Salma Hayek and Oprah Winfrey.
“A lot of women in the Arabic world don’t have the courage to share their stories, and don’t have a voice,” Mardini told PEOPLE when speaking of Queen Rania.
“She is the opposite of that, showing that women can be successful. She is an inspiration — keep going!"
Mardini is an Olympic swimmer who competed in Rio de Janeiro with the first-ever refugee team. The teenager propelled into the media limelight after she and her sister pulled to shore a sinking boat carrying 20 refugees. She swam for three hours straight.
Queen Rania's is the "champion of refugees," according to PEOPLE.
And she has been rooting for Mardini since day one and personally nominated her for the PEOPLE ranking. This is likely why the two shared the number 7 ranking.
"There aren’t enough adjectives to do Yusra justice. Courageous: to set out on the journey. Selfless: to dive into the sea and save others. Positive: to never lose hope. Her indomitable spirit is an example for us all," Queen Rania says.
"And when we all lift each other up, that’s when we win gold for humanity," said Queen Rania.
Queen Rania has long been an advocate for women in the region, focusing on the power of education in empowering women to transcend social, economic and political barriers.
Sharing her ranking with Yusra Mardini already speaks volumes.
Mardini won her heat in the 100-meter butterfly race on August 6 in Rio. However, her timing did not qualify her to the semifinals. Still, she won hearts all around the world.