Mrs. Habiba Shaaban Yakan at the diploma-distribution ceremony
At times, knowing that I was on the threshold of examinations, they would fall to praying for me; and I was greatly pleased when they accompanied me to the university — I would go my way while they went on theirs to their schools. But what pained me most sharply was being obliged at times to leave unwatched the meals of my daughter Maha — the youngest of my children, seven years of age.
Her answer to my fourth question was:
— I profited a great deal, and the university was a second life to me. I advise every lady who can continue her studies to exert her will and give some of her time to study. But if I were the mother of a nursing infant, and they made me a gift of the university and all that is in it, I would not give up my heart's own flesh for a single minute; for the child's mental, intellectual, and physical constitution begins to form in his second and third year, and this period is among the most important in the life of every child.
And Mrs. Fares said finally:
— I believe that happiness springs from within, and inwardly I am very happy, God be praised. I have been able to reconcile my husband's temperament with my working life, and this is a grace from God Almighty.
*
I left the student mothers and went to meet the presidents of the associations — and they are many. Here is Mrs. Habiba Shaaban Yakan, president of the Young Muslim Women's Association and mother of four children, receiving me with a radiant face and a smiling mouth. After she had learned of the errand on which I had come, and after I had taken my share of rest in her beautiful salon, I put my first question to her.
Q — When was your association founded, who contributed to founding it, and for how many years have you been its president?
A — The association was founded four years ago, and I was the author of the idea. I began my work with fifteen Lebanese lira, and the association was fifteen days old when we held our first public entertainment.
Q — Do you believe the association is fulfilling the aims for which it was created?
A — Yes, and on a wide scale — though we have not fulfilled them completely; but we are on the road, and we hope to reach our aims and so form worthy members for this dear homeland.
Q — How much time does your work in it claim, and what is the program you follow?
A — I have divided my hours between the home and the association: all my free hours, after finishing my household duties, belong to the association. I work night and day for these two lofty labors: motherhood and society. I call much upon the night for help, and I pay very few visits.
Q — Does your husband approve of your occupations, and is your family life a happy one?
A — My husband lives among his papers and his books, and sits up past midnight finishing his work;
and he thanks God heartily for my occupation with the associations, so that I am not distressed by the press of his own work. Had my husband been other than he is, I could not have carried on this work; and had another woman lived with my husband, their life would have been a hell. Our whole life is sacrifices for the sake of our society, for which we work together.
And I do not believe that every lady can work alongside her married life; but I have succeeded in joining these two labors because I have strained myself and sacrificed much. I do not know whether I shall be able to keep up my work much longer, and I hope in the very near future to find someone to share with me the management of this association to which I have consecrated my efforts.
"The Woman's Voice" informs its readers and subscribers in Homs and Hama that it has appointed Mrs. Helane Mufarrij Murhij as its agent there, and requests them to apply to her for the payment of subscriptions and for all matters concerning the magazine.