The Association founder
Badee’a Salameh:
A Feminist Pioneer Between Past and Present
About the founder
Badee’a Salameh
Innovative ideas are born from extraordinary individuals who dare to dream and take action. They plant a seed, nurture it with care, and watch as its roots take hold, blossoming into something that becomes an integral pillar of the community. Its fruits sustain the hungry and needy, while its fragrance and shade enrich the lives of those who encounter it. As generations tend to it, its roots grow deeper, its branches greener, and its legacy shines as brightly as the flag of the homeland it represents.
Between past and present, the legacy of giving continues. As the saying goes, “Those who have no past have no present.” This is especially true of Badee’a Salameh, a feminist pioneer whose generous spirit laid the foundation for enduring change. At just 19 years old, she planted the first seed of what would become the Annahda Women’s Association when she wrote to the Ramallah Municipality in 1916, requesting permission to establish a charitable association in the city. With a modest financial contribution of 100 Jordanian dinars, she launched her initiative, setting up headquarters in an old house on Al-Sahl Street. There, she began to address pressing community needs through literacy programs, food distribution for the needy, and financial assistance.
In 1923, Badee’a Salameh Khoury returned to Ramallah from Colombia, where she had lived after marrying Nicola Salameh Al-Daba’i in 1907. She found the city devastated by the aftermath of World War I, with widespread hunger, malnutrition, and a lack of medical care affecting its children. Recognizing the dire need for healthcare in the community, she organized medical days at her home. With the help of Arab and foreign doctors from Jerusalem, she provided vaccinations and treatments to combat the rampant health crises. Using her social standing and fluency in four languages—Arabic, English, Greek, and Spanish—Badee’a Salameh also secured international support. Charitable donations in the form of parcels, known as “buqaj” at the time, enabled her to provide food and clothing for those in need.
Building on this early experience and guided by a long-term vision, Badee’a Salameh officially founded the Annahda Women’s Association on January 1, 1925. From its inception, the association was supported by a council of 20 women dedicated to humanitarian and charitable work. Badee’a Salameh led the organization with transparency and structure, drafting bylaws that governed its operations and finances. She ensured the association maintained high standards of accountability by publishing regular administrative and financial reports.
Over the 51 years that Badee’a Salameh chaired the association (1925–1976), she spearheaded numerous initiatives to expand its mission. In 1940, the association established a free medical clinic, and by 1972, it began offering scholarships and education for children with disabilities, starting with six students. Badee’a also played a key role in founding the Ramallah Union of Associations in 1972. In 1976, she achieved another milestone by laying the foundation stone for a rehabilitation center on a 15-dunum plot of land in the Al-Tira neighborhood. This center, now the association’s headquarters, continues to serve as a beacon of hope for the community.
Badee’a Salameh’s remarkable journey was defined by her unwavering commitment to social and humanitarian causes. Through her visionary leadership and relentless efforts, she established a legacy that continues to serve the Palestinian community. Her life’s work stands as a testament to the transformative power of compassion and determination, reminding us of the importance of building a future rooted in service and humanity.
May Badee’a Salameh’s soul rest in peace
And may her legacy inspire future generations to follow in her footsteps
A photo of Badi’a Salameh, the founder of Al-Nahda Women’s Association in Ramallah, in 1975 on the occasion of the association’s 50th anniversary.
The Palestinian Museum Digital Archive