SIDON, Lebanon - Women who fill empowered by filling up? At the Queen gasoline station in Sidon, Lebanon, the mostly female staff say their work gives them purpose, the Daily Star reports. The gasoline station is the first ?" and only ?" one in the country that is run by women.

"Of course, people were shocked at first. But now they??re used to it," said Manager Samar Dakdouk. "Now, people are happy about it, and they come because of the good service."

Established by Merhi Abou Merhi as a way for women to work in a traditionally male environment, the gasoline station has won the support of locals, especially female drivers. The employees, wearing pink sweaters, pump gas and clean cars for customers.

"At first it was hard to find employees, because as far as I know it??s the first time there??s something like this in the Arab world," said Dakdouk. She had worked with her brothers at their U.S. gasoline stations before moving back to Lebanon. "The concept is a VIP gas and car cleaning service by women. It??s good for our patriarchal society."

The station does employ a few men who work the pumps and in the convenience stores, but the majority of employees are female. "They??re so happy because they??re doing something special," said Dakdouk. "In Sidon, everyone knows each other, and the people have gotten to know us."