On the Anniversary of November 22

... This is the address of the Lebanese Women's League on the anniversary of Lebanon's independence, delivered over Radio Lebanon by Mrs. Hassana Daouk, acting president of the League.

On this glorious day, the twenty-second day of November, every citizen of this happy country turns to the memory of that day on which our Lebanon beheld the light of true independence for the first time in many centuries. And the Lebanese Women's League, which counts this day as the day of its own birth, is glad to join the nation in commemorating this anniversary so dear to all hearts... glad to call back the scenes of the great uprising that Lebanon felt in the year one thousand nine hundred and forty-three, when it discovered itself: its self athirst for true independence; its self composed of elements holding every intention of unity and concord; its self desiring to shoulder its share in the raising of its condition; and its self desiring to shoulder its share in pushing the wagon of civilization forward!

The events of November, like the ordeals that poured down upon our Lebanon at that time, were the starting signal for a band of noble ladies and young women who rushed into the field: staging demonstrations, presenting protests, and holding meetings, in the cause of bringing Lebanon out of what had befallen it.

Then the crisis lifted, and right returned to its rightful place; and this company of ladies and young women saw that the bond that had gathered them together must be preserved, and turned into an association that would carry on its struggle in the field of peace — working to raise the standing of woman, to bring her to the level that would entitle her to exercise her rights and her duties whole and undiminished.

Thus arose the Lebanese Women's League; and among the first things it thought of was to publish a women's magazine that would express its views, and in which would be published the guidance and instruction to lead woman on her road toward the true advancement that is her due. This magazine has been, and remains — like its name, "The Woman's Voice" — a platform giving voice to those breathings that stirred in the souls of the women of Lebanon without finding an outlet, and a guiding torch lighting the way before woman in all the sides of her intellectual, social, political, and family life.

Nor was the Lebanese Women's League content with the magazine; it also founded a model school, beginning it with a kindergarten, and it labors constantly to add to its classes until it is complete and becomes a full secondary school.

By this project the League aims to create the enlightened national woman citizen; and in this it never ceases to draw inspiration from the deeds and words of His Excellency the First President and Her Ladyship the First Lady of Lebanon, honorary president of the association; for since its founding these two have never ceased to offer it sincere counsel and to extend to it aid of many kinds.

And I cannot end this address before paying tribute to the valuable assistance with which our emigrant half continues to supply us — that assistance which is, in truth, the cornerstone on which most of our projects rest.

In conclusion, I ask all citizens, women and men, to stretch out their hands to the Lebanese Women's League and share in the work to which it has dedicated itself: to preserve the heritage left to us by the twenty-second of November, to build it up and tend it, and to hand it on to the rising generation at the very height of its vitality and force.