... A great humanitarian project, founded and nourished by a lady from among the wealthy of the city of Aleppo, Mrs. Matilda Salem, in the name of her late husband, Mr. George Salem... And they still say: woman is fit for nothing but her home?!!

We were a small band of ladies of the "Women's Cooperation," formerly known as the Young Women's Christian Association, when Mrs. Matilda Salem received us at her charitable industrial school, known as the "George Salem School," in the Sabil quarter — the quarter of palaces — in the city of Aleppo.

I cannot express the feeling of admiration and pride that took hold of me when we entered this institute, with its wide open spaces and its huge multi-storied building, constructed in the most modern style and with the utmost perfection the builder's hand has attained; and how I longed to see the face of that great benefactress and to become acquainted with the person of that wealthy lady who has devoted her money, her time, and her thought to the service of others and to laying a great stone in the building of the edifice of the Syrian nation. Scarcely a minute and a little more had passed before Mrs. Matilda came forward with her gentle smile and her serene gaze, which bespoke tenderness in her heart and firmness and enterprise in her mind.

The building of the George Salem School from the outside

Never have I felt such ease and familiarity in speaking with anyone as the ease and familiarity I felt while speaking with Mrs. Salem. She spoke to me about her institution in a voice that was a blend of gentleness, modesty, love, and strength. So I took courage and asked her whether she would permit me to write a word about the institution in one of the magazines or newspapers. She answered me:

"A young lady anticipated you in this idea last year. She did in fact write an article that she wished to publish in The Woman's Voice, but when she showed it to me, I kept it."

I said: "And why, Madam?"

She answered: "I never thought of gaining praise from this work. I did what I did only in fulfillment of my late husband's wish and my own, nothing more."

I said: "You have no need of praise, Madam. The pleasure and peace of soul are enough for you, as you carry out a humanitarian work, taking in a large number of the sons of the homeland and equipping them with learning, craft, and morals, so that they may benefit themselves and their country — and who knows what would become of some of them if they were left to