Habuba Haddad: Founder of al-Hayah al-Jadidah

Born in the Shouf, Mount Lebanon, Habuba Haddad quickly became one of the most esteemed women of her time; she was a writer, journalist, and an anchor ¹. She founded the monthly magazine, al-Hayah al-Jadidah (The New Life), in 1921, and published it in Beirut in 1922, where it was distributed for five years. She was a member of the Journalists’ Syndicate in Paris (established in 1921) ². She opened her house for literary, journalistic, and political discussions, turning it into a salon from 1921-1930 ³. Her salon became a destination for many literary figures of the time, including Salma Sa’igh, Mary Yanni, and Julya Tu’mah Dimashqiyyah ⁴. In her recent life, she was awarded the National Order of the Cedar, one of the highest honorary orders in Lebanon.