Finding aid for the Lebanese Syrian American Junior League Photographs

History of the Lebanese Syrian American Junior League

The Lebanese Syrian American Junior League was organized in 1929 through the Young Women's Christian Association in Cleveland, Ohio, as a social and charitable organization. Initially titled the Zonobia Club (Zonobia being a warrior queen in ancient Syria), the League changed its name to the "Syrian Junior League" in an attempt to connect the club with the modern Syrian woman rather than with Syrian history. In 1968 the organization became the Lebanese-Syrian Junior Women's League in order to acknowledge the independent state of Lebanon. The name change was also executed to clear up confusion between the Syrian Junior League and the Junior League of Cleveland, another charitable women's organization. In 2009, the organization adopted its current name to acknowledge its roots and activities as a distinctly American group.

The League has been providing scholarships for local students of Lebanese or Syrian descent since the 1970s, annually awarding two students (one male and one female) who prove to be academically outstanding. The League also donates to Cleveland welfare organizations as well as children's institutions overseas. The League was also instrumental in raising money for various war-effort campaigns during World War II. Aside from promoting welfare and education, the Lebanese-Syrian Junior Women's League conducts annual events for its members. Among the most publicized is the Debutante Ball, which is held annually for young women of Lebanese-Syrian descent to raise money for the scholarship fund. According to Jeanette Aftoora, the incoming president of the Lebanese-Syrian Junior Women's League in 1969, the Debutante Ball is a celebration of cultural unity and pride. The heritage of the Lebanese and Syrian descendents is further honored through the tradition of closing the ball with the traditional Middle Eastern line dance of the Dabke. The Mother's Day Banquets are also well attended. The League has also presented plays in Arabic, and although many of the members could not speak Arabic, they practiced the language to perform the plays.

Scope and Content

The Lebanese Syrian American Junior League Photographs, 1937-1996 and undated, consist of 357 black and white and color images. These images include prints, negatives, and enlarged reproductions.

This collection is of value to researchers seeking illustrative materials on the events and festivities of The Lebanese Syrian American Junior League. This collection will also be valuable to researchers studying events related to female residents of Cleveland and northeast Ohio of Middle Eastern descent, particularly those from Syria and Lebanon. Researchers interested in images that document events such as the Debutante Ball, the Mother and Daughter Banquet, and anniversary events will find this collection of great value.

Statement of Arrangement

Restrictions on Access

None.

The researcher should also consult MS 5030 Lebanese Syrian American Junior League Records.

Indexing Terms

The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog.

Subjects:

Preferred Citation

[Container ___, Folder ___ ] PG 542 Lebanese Syrian American Junior League Photographs, Western Reserve Historical Society, Cleveland, Ohio

Acquisition Information

Gifts of the Lebanese Syrian American Junior League in 1997 and 2008.

Processing Information

Processed by Alicia Pavelecky in 2009.

Funding for the archival processing of this collection was provided through the generosity of Jane Seidman and Lucie Salhany Polcari in memory of their mother, Matilda Thomas Mady. Mrs. Mady was a founder of the Lebanese Syrian American Junior League and an avid supporter of its mission and activities.

Detailed Description of The Collection