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Mouna Elias El Hrawi: A Life Written Through Service and Love for Lebanon

Mouna Elias El Hrawi: A Life Written Through Service and Love for Lebanon

Early Life of Mouna Elias El Hrawi

Throughout her early years, Mouna Elias El Hrawi experienced important life changes that shaped her journey. She was born in 1941 in Baalbeck to a Palestinian father and a Lebanese mother. As the eldest of three girls, she spent her early years in Bethlehem until her father’s passing when she was nine.

Following her father’s passing, her paternal aunt raised her in Amman until she completed high school. She returned to Baalbek at the age of 17, where she joined her mother and sisters. In 1961, she married Elias El Hrawi, and later became Lebanon’s First Lady in 1989.

Mouna Elias El Hrawi ‘s Leadership and Public Service

Throughout her public life, Mouna Elias El Hrawi held several notable positions and contributed to different national and international initiatives.

First Lady of Lebanon from 1989 to 1998.
Established and headed the Chronic Care Center since 1993.
Founded and served as President of the Lebanese Heritage Foundation starting in 1996.
Served as a Board Member at the Thalassemia International Federation from 1994.
Contributed to the Suzanne Mubarak Women’s International Movement for Peace from 2003 to 2006.
Founded and led the Lebanese Permanent Committee for Coordination from 1991 to 1998.
Chaired the National Committee for the Preparation of the 4th World Conference on Women in 1995.
Presided over the Lebanese National Commission for Lebanese Women from 1995 to 1998.
Served as Honorary President of the Lebanese Red Cross Association between 1990 and 1998.

Mouna Elias El Hrawi ‘s Recognitions and Accolades

Moreover, Mouna Elias El Hrawi received several recognitions for her contributions.

She received an Honorary Doctorate in Humane Letters from Schiller International University in 1998.

Additionally, she received the International Award for the Development of Permanent Child Health and Welfare Services in New York in 1996.

Furthermore, she received the HOPE Worldwide Award in 1995 for aiding the underprivileged in Lebanon.

She received the International Youth Foundation Patron Award in 1994 for supporting the UN Program on the International Year of Family.

Heritage Preservation and Humanitarian Efforts

In addition, Mouna Elias El Hrawi led several projects related to Lebanon’s heritage, culture, and healthcare.

She led the restoration of Nahr el-Kalb’s steles through the Lebanese Heritage Foundation. She also initiated the creation of the “Museum of Rural Life – Terbol” and the “Ecomusée – Râs Baalbek” between 1996 and 2010.

Meanwhile, she rehabilitated the Beirut National Museum and launched its Museum Gift Shop from 1996 to 1999 for self-sustenance. She also organized Classical Music Concerts at the Beirut Museum in 1996-1997.

Later, she initiated a Telethon on May 29, 1993, to aid children with chronic illnesses, which led to the founding of the Chronic Care Center. She also orchestrated the Anjar Festivals in 1974.