The Tahdhib al-Fatat Association's Party at the Méditerranée Club

The Tahdhib al-Fatat Association held a charity dance at the Méditerranée club under the patronage of His Excellency Emile Bey Lahoud. A great throng of the elite of society attended; it was a party well filled, both in those who came and in the skill of those who ran it, and it lasted until after midnight. In its course the president, Mrs. Zahiya Saad, spoke about the association and its aim — readers will find her address below this account — and the close was the excellent, encouraging address, like all his oratorical occasions, delivered by His Excellency Emile Bey Lahoud.

The gathering dispersed pleased and grateful.

Your Excellency, gentlemen, ladies:

In my own name, and on behalf of the members of the association which you have supported by your encouragement and by your presence at this party, held to help girls in need, I thank you from the heart.

The Tahdhib al-Fatat Association, gentlemen, has been working in the field of moral training for thirty-seven years, and has not halted its work a single year despite the two wars that passed over it; rather it has persevered in its glorious work with diligence and vigor, and it has educated hundreds of girls, some of whom are now housewives, while others work in the field of training and teaching.

Since its founding it has had two branches, the one in Choueifat and the other here in Beirut. Thanks to the zeal of people of virtue and charity such as yourselves, and of the devoted, kind, and generous ladies who come forward to join its membership, moved by the general good, it goes swiftly forward on a course of which it may be proud. The association is educating this year twenty-two girl students in the schools of Beirut, Choueifat, and Tripoli. The students are accepted at the end of every year without regard to religion or sect, for it is Lebanese, and it helps every Lebanese girl who needs help until she obtains her school certificate and is able to provide for herself under the banner of honor and dignity.

In the past we used to print annual reports of our works, so that far and near might know them; but for compelling reasons of which you are not ignorant we have held back, preferring to spend the money in the cause of our aim. Yet we shall soon return to publishing our statements, God willing.

Since its founding it has counted among its honorary members no small number of our finest and most honorable men, and we hope that our brother man will look upon this association of noble aim as an important institution in the field of the country, and that men will come forward to join its membership and stretch out their strong hands to support us, for we are partners in the service of the nation.

The girl of today is the wife of tomorrow and the mother of the future, and we have a sacred duty toward our dear Lebanon: to give it girls cultured in a true national culture, and these are the stones in its building. Its funds come from the members' subscriptions, from donations, and from the parties it used to hold — at first oratorical parties, famous for the addresses of its clever women and men speakers; and when the radio took the place of such parties, we made them cinema parties. This is the first evening party it has held. And permit me, before I close my address, to repeat the expression of thanks and esteem to His Excellency the Minister Emile Bey Lahoud, who has kindly helped us materially and morally and taken this party under his patronage — and that is no great thing in him, for gold ore from its own mine occasions no surprise;

and to the proprietors of the Méditerranée, for offering all they could to make this party a success and a pleasure for you — I mention especially Mr. Emile Issa; and to all of you, worthy guests, for accepting our invitation. May you ever remain a support of goodness and charity, encouraging the girls to walk the straight road. Long live Lebanon, free and independent!