Letters — The Women's Federation

★ The party committee of the Lebanese Women's Federation has decided to hold a tea-dance at the International Club on May 5, with a varied entertainment program and bridge, the ticket to be seven Lebanese liras, in order to replenish the Federation's weak finances.

★ Several committees gave reports on their work. The health committee mentioned that it had obtained a permit from the city's prefecture by which is granted the right to detain or fine anyone who violates health regulations.

★ The village revival committee reported that it has begun drawing up its plan of work for this year, especially on the economic side, and that once it has finished its studies it will designate the villages it will choose as the nucleus of its work.

★ The Federation sent a telegram of protest to His Excellency the Prime Minister and the Minister of the Interior over the police's use of violence and beating against the striking students.

★ Mrs. Muneera Shehadeh and Mrs. Salwa Moumina were charged with revising and printing the amended constitution.

★ The American Information Office has offered a scholarship to a Lebanese young woman (Bachelor of Science), to be chosen by the Women's Federation, for specialized study in America in one of the branches of knowledge. A committee was formed of Mesdames Bustros, Moumina, Bayyoud, Saghir, and Rihan to choose the suitable young lady.

★ The Federation was invited to take part in the conference of civic organizations in Istanbul.

★ The Federation sent a sum of twenty-five liras to the Islamic Hospital in lieu of a wreath for the soul of the late lamented mother of His Excellency Riad Bey al-Solh.

★ A « thé — dansant » will take place on the fifth of May 1951 in the International Club to help financing the different projects of the Federation. A variety program and Bridge are also on the program.

★ From the report of the health committee: the Mayor agreed to recognize all reports handed by the committee members against those who oppose health regulations.

★ The Village woman welfare service commitee reported that it is preparing a project and the model villages for the beginning of the work will be proclaimed in the next meeting.

★ A vote of protest was sent to the Prime-minister and to the Minister of the Interior accusing the police for having used force with striking students.

★ Mrs. Shehade and Moumné were charged to print the amended constitution.

★ The U.S.I.S. offered a postgraduate scholarship to a Lebanese girl to be chosen by Women's Federation. A committee of Mrs. Bustros, Moumneh, Bayyoudh, Saghir and Rihan were chosen to find the right candidate.

★ The Women's Federation was invited to join in the non-political institution's con-conference at Constantinople.

A group of women graduates of the Makassed College for Girls, 24 years ago, felt the necessity of raising the social standard through philanthropic work in the primary schools affiliated to the Makassed. Hence they founded their society.

The members of this society number approximately 200. Its activities are organized and carried out by responsible members who are elected.

As to the financial situation of the society, the expenses are met by donations and by membership fees. The society not only provides free clothing and textbooks to poor students, but also provides financial help to young women, who have shown intellectual abilities, to pursue their studies.

Chairman
FATIMEH DAOUK

A very interesting meeting of the Home and Child Study Group was arranged by Mrs. Afif Selman, chairman. The meeting took place at the home of Dr. I. Shehadi on Tuesday, February 19, 1951, at 8 p. m. Fathers and mothers were invited to a panel discussion led by Mrs. Khazaal, Mrs. Kerr, Prof. Shahla, Dr. Malikian and Dr. Donabedian. The questions were most interesting, the answers very enlightening and most satisfactory. We had the best authorities of the A. U. B. on Education, Child and the Home to answer and solve our problems. We all left around 10 o'clock that evening with a deep satisfaction and hearty thanks to our chairman and our panel.

We are all proud of our executive committee on Women's Political Rights in Lebanon. This committee was elected in a general meeting attended by almost all women's organizations in Lebanon. Its members are Miss Ibtihaj Kaddourah, Mrs. George Tabet, Mrs. Salim Saab, Mrs. Habib Rihan, Mrs. George Kfourie, Mrs. Samuel Ibrahim, Dr. Jamal Harfouche, Mrs. Joseph Fayyad & Miss Laure Nasr. They have been working very earnestly, meeting all the different authorities of our government, sending petitions to the President of the Republic, Head of the Government, and President of the House of Deputies. They have sought expert guidance and consulted the best legal authorities.

Last week they visited Tripoli, Sidon, Tyre, Zahlé, Kib-Elias, Mashghara and Baalbek. A big crowd welcomed them everywhere they went. They gave a full account of their work and discussed further measures to be taken for the success of their mission.

Will our sisters abroad support our campaign? Will Mrs. Charles Malek and Mrs. Angela Jurdak Khoury lead the campaign among our sisters in the U. S. A.? This is a fundamental issue in which we need your cooperation.

Three societies by that name are affiliated to the Federation. One is in Beirut, another in Sidon, the third in Zahlé. Although the three carry the same name, they are independent of each other. I shall give here a brief account of the women's society of Zahlé, having worked in it for more than twenty years, fourteen of them as president.

The ladies began their work on a small scale — helping the poor, attending to the sick and old, visiting the hospitals or prisons with Christmas or Easter gifts for all. Often, big Christmas entertainments were held for children and presents were distributed to fill their hearts with joy. We met monthly to listen to qualified speakers lecturing on all educational and inspiring subjects. We honored and welcomed distinguished visitors to the city. We still keep our high standards and have added a very important and useful project — an up-to-date kindergarten for our little children. The society has its hands full in supervising and financing this haven of little angels. Our only recompense are the blessings and thanks of the relieved mothers and our sincere hope of making better men and women through early training and the use of modern educational methods.

Mrs. Shehadi (Chairman)

The Health Committee of the Lebanese Women's Federation has undertaken regualr weekly researches in the different quarters of Beirut, with the main purpose of finding out about the nature and causes of people's complaints concerning matters of healh.

The work is being successfully carried out owing to the attention which Nicola Bey Rizk-Allah, Mayor of the city, has given to this matter in response to the request made to him by Mrs. Eveline Boustros, president of the Federation, and Mrs. Christine Rizk, head of the health committee.

Due thanks are also offered to Dr. Ghandour for his worthy services.

Mrs. Christine Rizk
Head of the Committee