A Letter to the Reader

It is in the nature of living magazines to develop and grow. And such has been the case with The Woman's Voice. Whoever has had occasion to follow it since its inception has doubtless observed the stages of its development and growth. Yet this development and this growth have fallen short of what we expected and set our sights upon. Perhaps the reason is that what we expected and set our sights upon lies beyond what is within the reach of Arab reader and publisher alike.

In spite of this, we shall remain steadfast in grappling with obstacles, wresting for this magazine its right to develop and grow, however slowly. So let the devoted women of this Arab world be reassured: those in charge of The Woman's Voice will not furnish proof that the Arab woman is still too weak to have a magazine of her own — one that carries her message and expresses her conscious opinion on matters of thought and of life.

That said, the editorial management wishes to draw the reader's attention to the following points:

First — The cover picture is among the foremost concerns of modern journalism, and the editorial management of The Woman's Voice has made strenuous efforts and attempts to render its cover elegant and attractive, while observing sobriety and shunning vulgarity. It does not claim that success has always attended it. The management has always wished to obtain photographs of Arab young ladies and married ladies that meet the required conditions. At last we resolved to take this necessary step, upon obtaining the picture published on the cover of this issue — that of Miss Anne Haddad, teacher in the kindergarten of the Lebanese Women's League in Beirut. Miss Haddad graciously consented that we begin this endeavor of ours by publishing her picture, upon which one of the magazine's editors happened by chance. The Woman's Voice thanks her, and requests of its gracious lady readers that they send the management such pictures as they judge worthy of the magazine's cover. It is stipulated that the picture be black and clear, of "carte postale" size, and that it be signed by its subject beneath the following statement: "There is no objection to its publication on the cover of the magazine The Woman's Voice."

Second — The fine magazines of the world have made a custom of issuing a special number for Christmas and the New Year. The Woman's Voice wishes to follow this custom without anyone finding in it any sectarian design, for it holds most jealously to its national, non-sectarian spirit. Nor is there any doubt, moreover, that Christmas and the New Year have become universal, human holidays that rise above all religious considerations and national boundaries. Accordingly, The Woman's Voice welcomes whatever our women of letters may send it of subjects turning upon these two holidays.

Third — Articles reach the editorial management signed with pen names, without mention of the real name. The magazine does not object to publishing articles under pen names; it must, however, be informed of the real name.

On this occasion we draw the attention of our women of letters to the fact that there are several conditions by which the editorial management abides in its selection of articles. It is not enough that an article be good in point of subject matter. What is fit for publication elsewhere than in The Woman's Voice may not be fit for publication in The Woman's Voice, and vice versa. Distinctive color, variety, novelty, and sobriety are essential conditions to which the editorial management holds, alongside its regard for the article's value from the intellectual standpoint.

Fourth — The Woman's Voice welcomes criticism, for it believes in it as an essential factor in its development and growth. Through criticism, moreover, it is able to learn the reader's opinion, and to be in direct touch with him for the expression of his wishes.

And now, may our past experience, our fidelity to our mission, and our hopes for tomorrow be a spur that drives us forward.