The Women's Activities of Our Community in Mexico

The following information about the women's activities of the Lebanese community in Mexico has reached us from our correspondent in that country:

In Mexico there are two women's associations, both non-sectarian: the Charitable Union of Lebanese Women and the Lebanese Women's Club.

Before speaking of the Charitable Union, I find I cannot avoid saying that its president, Mrs. Hanna Abu Murad, is the mother of five sons who are among the finest members of the Lebanese community in Mexico, and that she is a virtuous, benevolent, and generous lady, formed by nature for the love of good works and of helping others. She has held the presidency of the Union three times.

I got in touch with the president of the Union to obtain from her information about the activity shown by the said institution. She began at once by telling me that the credit for the Union's activity belongs to Mrs. Renée Abu Khater, wife of Lebanon's Minister Plenipotentiary and honorary president of the Union; it was she who revived it and restored its activity after years of slumber and retirement.

A large body of the women of the community have taken part in the work of the Union and have given for its sake all they had, precious and small alike. Among them are Mrs. Michel Zakharia, who was its president in 1949, and Mrs. Carmen Mansour Ariji, who was treasurer in that year. Both of the ladies mentioned are Mexican by nationality and married to Lebanese men, and both have shown a genuine zeal and given every attention and assistance.

The aim of the Union is to extend aid and charity to the needy among the Lebanese, Syrians, and Arabs in Mexico, without any regard to difference of religion or country.

The Union keeps a list of the needy families, and makes them regular payments, whether in cash, or foodstuffs, or clothing, or medicines, or schoolbooks for pupils. This is in addition to other forms of assistance: such as helping the poor who wish to depart, finding positions for the unemployed, and gifts on the feast days. The Union has volunteer doctors, and many of its members spend their leisure hours knitting wool to offer to the needy.

The number of members comes to one hundred ladies, in addition to a number of men who pay regular subscriptions to the association. The membership subscriptions received from the ladies and from the men form the backbone of the Union's budget, to which are added the proceeds of parties of every kind.

As for the Lebanese Women's Club, it does not differ greatly from the Union mentioned above. It is distinguished from it, however, in that it is the girls and young women of the community who conduct its affairs, and in that its activity is narrower in scope than that of the Union. It was founded in 1944, and its members number ninety.

The Club extends assistance to about twenty-five families, and provides that assistance in various ways: such as paying part of their house rents, and providing medical services, food, and clothing. There are also three students pursuing their studies at the Mexican university, part of whose expenses the Club pays.

The Club is now working hard to found a literary circle to add to its social activity. It holds parties of every kind, and devotes their proceeds to its projects.

Our correspondent closes her letter by mentioning the grand party which the Union and the Club held jointly on October 31 last, in honor of His Excellency Mr. Philippe Takla, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants, on the day he came to Mexico with the men of his suite as guests of the Mexican government.

The party was attended by His Excellency Mr. Takla; Mr. Fouad Ammoun, Director General of Foreign Affairs; the two accompanying journalists, Messrs. Said Serrieh and Hanna Ghosn; the Minister Plenipotentiary Joseph Abu Khater and Mrs. Abu Khater, his wife; the staff of the Legation; and the notables of the community.

Miss Maud Khoury, president of the Lebanese Women's Club, delivered a short address in Spanish, in which she thanked His Excellency the Minister for his donation of two hundred dollars to each of the Club and the Union.

On the afternoon of the same day the Minister and his companions paid a visit to the organizations of the Lebanese women.