English has become a common medium that has impacted Saudi Arabia's educational system. While Saudi Arabia, on the global stage, is known for its conservative practices especially in relation to women, there has been a significant rise in Saudi women graduating from universities, surpassing their male counterparts. As this rise in Saudi women obtaining higher educational degrees continues, their acquisition of English also increases. This paradoxical description of Saudi Arabia reveals the complexities that exist in its society concerning women, education, and social reform. This dissertation aims to: (1) investigate the phenomena of Saudi women's rising acquisition of English and its shift over the past five decades from the perspectives of women themselves; (2) explore Saudi women's motivations and any obstacles in learning English; (3) and discover any possible associations of English learning, the advancement of women's education, empowerment, and Saudi women's societal roles. Using a phenomenological approach, this study will employ mixed methods, specifically: semi-structured interviews of diverse Saudi women; an anonymous survey; and historical visual artifacts relative to Saudi women's educational and social journey. The findings of the study are presented in 10 themes: Culture and Religiosity; Tool and Weapon; Media and Pop Culture; Intrinsic Love; Investment; Important Role of the Patriarch; L2 Learning Experiences; Opportunities; Renewed Roles and Rights; and Growth and World Powers. Implications of the results may impact instructors, administrators, and policymakers of English language programs in Saudi Arabia and socioeconomic policies in the Kingdom and the broader Middle East region. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com.bibliotheek.ehb.be/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]