This message shall be sent to you in English. It is an open letter for those of you who were born abroad and had no chance of studying Arabic, your mother tongue of which we are very proud. It is to convey to you our news, what we are doing, what we hope to do and build for the betterment of social, moral, and educational conditions of our women and our country. It is to engage your interest and moral cooperation. It is to keep the link between your mother country and the country of your adoption. This interest in you was always cherished, but it was vehemently stirred by your overseas convention, which was held in Lebanon and Syria last summer.
We have heard that your different federations in the States are all working for a social union. Their aim was widened and a loving arm was extended to us. That grasp was felt and cherished by all and we want to make of it a real force by our combined efforts. Are you of the same opinion? Are you willing to cooperate?
We are interested in you wherever you may be. We classify you thus:
- Those born in Lebanon.
- Those born abroad but of Lebanese parents.
- Those of mixed Lebanese and foreign blood.
- The grand-children of Lebanese parents.
The first two of these divisions still have their heart and soul in the old country. They love it, they love to hear all about it, and visit it at all opportunities. We shall not attempt to mention the different ways through which they helped their relatives, villages and their government, but shall keep account of the new endeavours, and in our English report shall mention their effect on uplifting the social standard.
Our English report is not for those only, because we know that they have many other means of hearing about us. We are deeply interested in divisions three and four. We want to stir your patriotism by the voice of Lebanon which will
go to you in the language you understand.
We shall keep you informed of what the Federation is doing, its aims and aspirations. We shall give you a brief report of all women's organizations affiliated to it as well as of others which have not joined but are doing their share in the noble work. We shall give you the minutes of our monthly gatherings and shall keep you informed of our long struggle to get the equal rights which you have been enjoying and appreciating for a long time.
In return we would like to hear about your organizations. Little biographies of your outstanding women and their achievments, and your prominent men as well. This will be an inspiration for all of us and a means through our combined efforts to make a better generation of men and women who will uplift our precious and lovely Lebanon.
Please address all communications to Mrs.
Muneera Dumit Shehadeh
Publication Committee
★عقدت جلسة الاتحاد الشهرية في النادي العسكري في ٦ ك١ سنة ١٩٥٠ الساعة الثالثة بعد الظهر. افتتحت الرئيسة الجلسة فقرئت الجلسات السابقة وصدقت.
★صرحت الرئيسة ان الوفد الذي انتخب ليقدم الاحتجاج الى الحكومة قام بالمهمة وافهم المسؤولين انه يجب ان يدعى الاتحاد للاشتراك في المؤتمرات، ووعد بذلك.
★قالت السيدة انيسة نجار انها ارسلت اسماء الجمعيات التي تعنى بالطفل الى ممثلة الاتحاد النسائي الدولي في الامم المتحدة.
★انضمت الى عضوية الاتحاد جمعية النهضة النسائية برئاسة السيدة نجلا كفوري فرحبت بها السيدة نازك سركيس، وكذلك بجمعيتي خريجات كلية بيروت للبنات والحضانة الخيرية في طرابلس.
★تقدمت لجنة الانعاش القومي في الجامعة الاميركية بطلب للانضمام الى الاتحاد، وبما ان اللجنة مختلطة وليس لها رخصة حكومية وهذا يتنافى وقانون الاتحاد، تقرر بعد البحث ان تحضر رئيسة اللجنة الاجتماعات وان تقبل مساعدتها وزميلاتها عند اللزوم.