A supreme humanitarian aim has been realized by the noble Islamic Makassed Association in opening those numerous free elementary schools which gather in more than seven thousand children of the poor and needy!

And for the sake of this lofty aim, the Graduates' Association was formed in 1934, to help the needy pupil and to make him feel that there is a feeling heart and a generous, working hand that never tires of lessening the gap between him and his rich schoolmate in the Makassed colleges. A lofty purpose aiming at a distant goal, and a hand of help extended to a vast number of the destitute — but whence the money?

And here began the mighty efforts to work and to find the money...

In its first years its works were few, in keeping with its meager budget, but it pressed steadily forward under the care and encouragement of the directress of the College, the wise Miss Zahiyah Dughan, and her assistant Miss Ihsan Mahsani, and thanks to certain generous ladies who joined it; the association was then called: the Committee of Ladies and Graduates of the Girls' College.

It draws its finances from annual subscriptions, government grants, the proceeds of annual fêtes, and donations. This committee has an administrative board composed of:

Mrs. Fatimeh Daouk, for the presidency; Miss Hamida Sheikh, for the vice-presidency; Miss Salwa Bal'a, for the recording secretaryship; Mrs. Nazik Ramadan, for correspondence; Miss Salma Daouk, for the treasurership.

Active members: Miss Fatima Qaranful, Miss Munira Qaranful, Affa Qadi, Miss Hikmat Qadiri, Miss Aisha Qaranful, Mrs. Fatima Itani, Miss Ni'ma Jaroudi, Mrs. Ni'ma Junblat.

Most of the work is done by this administrative board, whose election is renewed every three years. It has confined its work to two essential points:

First — Helping those girl pupils who have finished the elementary course in the free Makassed schools but whose lack of money stands in the way of their entering the College: the committee undertakes to pay their fees and to provide all their school supplies.

Second — Attending to the clothing and feeding of needy pupils. It distributes annually close to two thousand school outfits; at the beginning of each season it also purchases suitable cloth and distributes it free of charge; and on the occasion of the feasts it gladdens the children's hearts by distributing cakes and sweets and quite respectable quantities of flour and rice.

This is a brief account of the works and origin of this committee. May God guide its steps to whatever is good, and bring it, by the grace of those who encourage it, to the aid of an ever greater number of poor pupils, that its first lofty idea may be fulfilled

The silver jubilee celebrated by the Lebanese Arab Women's Federation last January found an echo in all circles concerned with women's social affairs. It gives us pleasure today to publish this word, to acquaint our readers with the nature of this Federation, which has to its credit commendable endeavors in the service of the Lebanese woman.

It is the syndicate of woman in Lebanese society, and it is composed of the various licensed associations throughout Lebanon. Each association is represented by its president and four of its members only, to attend the sessions and meetings and take part in the work. The aim of the Federation is cooperation among the women's associations, whatever their tendencies, so that they may work together for the advancement of the family and society, for the raising of woman's station and her elevation to the level worthy of her, and for the attainment of her social and political rights.

It is the connecting link between the Lebanese associations and the institutions in the other Arab countries and elsewhere. And it has the right to ask the associations to undertake certain projects for the good of the country.

The Federation does not interfere with the independence of the associations enrolled in its ranks, nor does it touch their principles and aims; but it may, by resolution, expel one of its members if it becomes clear that that member is acting contrary to the spirit of the Federation and its statutes.

Moreover, the Federation backs every association in its projects and assists it as circumstances require.

The Federation's treasury and finances are fed by the subscriptions of the associations, by donations, and by the holding of fêtes when the need calls for it.

The Federation recently held the election of its statutory administrative board after the lapse of three years. The capable Miss Ibtihaj Kaddoura won the presidency — this being the third time our gifted young lady has gained the confidence of the associations — and there is no doubt that the women's federation will proceed under her banner along the high road of right.

The vice-presidency was entrusted to Mrs. Najla Saab; the secretaryship for domestic correspondence to Mrs. Hasiba Shaaban Yakan; the secretaryship for foreign correspondence to Mrs. Nadia Salman; the recording secretaryship to Mrs. Ellen Rihan; and the treasurership to Miss Aminah Khoury.

The present committees are composed as follows: the Administrative Committee — the Finance Committee — the Committee on Publicity and Publication — the Committee on Education and Instruction — the Prisons Committee — the Committee for Raising the Moral Standard — the Health Committee — the Child Welfare Committee — the Political Committee — the Legislative Committee.

The Federation is now working with diligence and energy to unify woman's efforts and raise her social level, until she attains the ideal goal to which she aspires.