To My Sister, the Lebanese Woman

The Woman's Word

... In a few days, you will record in the page of your public life a precedent your country has never known before, and you will pass your first decisive test: the election of your representatives to the Lebanese Chamber under the new electoral law.

And people — all people — have their eyes on you: How will you vote? Whom will you vote for? Is it true that you are fit to receive this right?

Beware, my sister, of shutting yourself up at home and falling short of your duty, lest the gloaters gloat over you — those who doubted your capabilities, and went to extremes in their doubt. Scatter their doubts and their ill opinion, and prove to them a true understanding of the importance of this duty to which your homeland calls you, for the first time in its history.

Tomorrow, when you go to the ballot boxes to express your will, stop your ears against cheap propaganda, hold yourself above bargainings and self-interested clamor, and give your vote only to those of true competence...

Let your judgment of a candidate rest on his past, his deeds, and his reputation as a loyal, upright citizen adorned with lofty moral virtues — not on the high-sounding programs with which he glitters, which work their momentary effect... and then soon go with the wind!

Fight those who have toyed with your destinies and kept no sanctity for you, who betrayed the trust and sacrificed the people's interest on the altar of their greed and their selfishness. Fight them, withhold your confidence from them, and tell them boldly why you have stood against them.

Do not be led blindly by a father or a husband or a brother — unless you are agreed with him on a principle or a creed, and convinced that you are seeking to serve the national cause first and last.

We have said before and we say again: woman is purer in conscience and further-reaching in integrity than man. And today, in your first test, you will prove to the whole world the truth or the falsity of this saying. So take counsel of your living, finely sensitive conscience, and question it alone as to what you must do in the light of your study and your conclusions — for the future of your nation, the measure of social justice, and the welfare of your family: all of these hang upon the will you are about to express.

My sister, the Lebanese woman: in a few days the bugle will sound, calling you to say your word on the destiny of your nation. Let your voice come forth pure and clear, and let your word come disinterested and upright... and victory is yours.