American University of Beirut - Women's League

THE WOMEN'S LEAGUE (WL) was founded in 1919 by a group of eight women from the American University of Beirut:

Mrs. Harrold Close
Mrs. Mary Bliss Dale
Mrs. Harris Graham
Miss Margaret Bliss
Mrs. Edward Nickoley
Mrs. Laurens Seeyle
Mrs. Edwin St. John Ward
Mrs. David Zimmerman

Their initial concern was to meet Lebanese women and provide a network for women in Beirut to get together and discuss common concerns.

The object of the League was (and is still) to promote broad acquaintance among women of all nationalities and to maintain a forum with leaders in matters of

- public importance

- civic interest

- educational concerns

- cultural interest

Women who reside in Lebanon and are interested in the objects of the League are eligible for membership.

Today the League is an active club which has monthly general meetings held in West Hall on the first Monday of the month from October through May. Every month a speaker is invited to the general meeting to speak about a current issue of interest, often

- art

- history

- architecture

- social issues, etc.

We end our season with an annual Garden Party at Marquand House in early June. Our on-going activities include the following:

- monthly "picnic" that is a full day educational trip in Lebanon - lunches

- movie club

- yoga

- monthly general meetings

Currently we are adding new interest groups.

At the end of each season the content of the League's treasury is donated to a needy handicapped student at AUB.