Lebanon was visited during the past month by Dr. Summerskill, the prominent British Labour Deputy, on her way to Syria and Egypt to acquaint herself with their affairs and to verify the truth of what is being debated in the British House of Commons concerning the Suez Canal crisis.
Dr. Summerskill was received by the Deputy Mr. Ghassan Tueni in the name of the Speaker of the Chamber, and she was also received by a delegation from the Progressive Socialist Party headed by Mr. Kamal Jumblatt. The two were the best possible representatives of Lebanese and Arab public opinion at the press conference which the British Deputy held in Beirut, and at which she cut off the path of the journalists who wished to question her about her government's hostile stand toward Egypt, saying that although she stands in opposition to the government, she refrains, outside her country, from criticizing the government and its policy, in observance of a venerable British tradition which requires the opposition to confine its opposition within the borders of the country. Among those who received Dr. Summerskill was also a delegation representing the women's organizations in Lebanon.
Readers will no doubt remember the American lady Mrs. Alma Kerr, who left Lebanon about a year ago after founding in Marjayoun — together with the crowds of refugees and local
people, women, men, and children — a unique industrial project that brought about a renaissance in the handicrafts, one that endures to this day.
The name of Mrs. Kerr is now whispered in Marjayoun and its environs with all reverence and love, for she returned to all the people her benevolent love and giving. Word has lately reached us from her that during the past year she has been, and still is, lecturing in the United States on the renaissance and the national consciousness in the Arab lands. She took with her to America the beautiful handwork made by our children and displayed it to the thousands of viewers of the television stations; and the number of lectures she has delivered on the progress of the Arabs and their true situation has reached 320.
A warm salute and a word of appreciation and thanks to Mrs. Alma Kerr in Washington... May God multiply her kind...
Miss Ruwayda Ibrahim Dabbas was wed, during last December, to Dr. Joseph Obeid, and her place of residence thereby moved from Damascus to our neighborhood in Beirut. Hundreds of family and friends were invited on December 27 to a grand reception held in their new home to present the bride to her old social circle.
"The Woman's Voice" extends its sincerest congratulations and best wishes to the two young newlyweds and to all their families, and especially to the bride's parents, Mr. Ibrahim Dabbas and his wife... And welcome, Ruwayda!
At the American Hospital, Mrs. Lily Badre gave birth on January 4 — a month before her time — to a baby girl weighing only three kilos, whom they have named "Maria."
Little Maria is the crown of her four siblings: Sami, Ramzi, Nasib, and sweet Leila, who was the most overjoyed of them all at "the little one," for now she has a companion to play with and to squabble with!! — since many years lie between her and her brothers, the boys, and they pay her no heed!!
Our congratulations to Dr. Albert Badre and to our friend Lily on the arrival of Maria.
On January 11 the baby girl "Hala" was born, the firstborn of the artist Mrs. Salwa Rawda Choucair. She weighs 3½ kilos — fair-haired, and takes after her father...
The birth took place at Dr. Khalidi's hospital, and mother and child enjoy the fullest health... But the joy of the father, Mr. Youssef Choucair, at the arrival of "Hala" is beyond compare. He gazes at her in adoration, unable to believe that this sweet bundle of flesh and blood is truly his daughter!!
Our heartfelt congratulations on the baby and on the safe delivery of Hala's mother.
The engagement was announced in Homs of Miss Nadia Shaqwi to Mr. Albert Akel, justice of the peace in Aleppo. The engagement party was confined to family and close friends, in an atmosphere of gaiety.
Awaiting the completion of the joyous occasions, we wish the engaged couple every happiness and felicity.