Women of Vision

Women of Vision: The Legacy of the Bethlehem Arab Women's Union

Mrs. Helwa Jacaman

Mrs. Julia Dabdoub

Birth / Early Life

Born in Bethlehem in 1913.
Her family was deeply involved in community and civic work; she came of age at a time when Palestinian society was experiencing major upheavals.

Involvement with the Bethlehem Arab Women’s Union (BAWU)

The Bethlehem Arab Women’s Union (also called Arab Women’s Union ‑ Bethlehem) was founded in late 1947. One of its early tasks was providing charitable and social services for refugees after Al‑Nakba.
Helweh Jacaman was elected first vice‑president initially (with Mrs. Beirut Maalouf as first president), then later she herself was elected President of the Union.

Leadership and Activities

As President, she held that position until 1992.
Her house served as the headquarters of the Union early on.
She was active in organizing first aid, medical support, training women in first aid in her home, during times of conflict. Her brother, Hanna Jacaman, who was a pharmacist, provided assistance with supplies.
During times of political tension (especially after 1967), she helped organize demonstrations and strikes, worked to encourage resistance against displacement, etc. For these activities, she was arrested twice by the Israeli occupation authorities.

Social / Civic Projects

In 1960, she helped found the Charitable Housing Association. Using it, she contributed to construction of housing units: 42 units in Bethlehem, 24 in Beit Sahour, plus additional units under construction. all4palestine.org
She represented the AWU in various national, Arab, and international conferences. For example: the Conference of the Arab Women's Union in Beirut; the Housing Conference in Rome; and the General Union of Palestinian Women in Jerusalem in 1965.

Later Years and Death

Helweh Jacaman passed away on 20 July 2004 in Bethlehem.

Role & Leadership

Julia Michelle Dabdoub served as President of the Bethlehem Arab Women’s Union.
She is especially noted for her initiative in establishing the Bethlehem Museum (“Bethlehem Folklore Museum” / Baituna al‑Talhami), under the aegis of the AWU.

Major Projects & Achievements

Bethlehem Museum / Baituna al‑Talhami
- The idea for a permanent museum to display folk/local industries and cultural heritage was originally hers.
- In October 1977, under her leadership, the AWU purchased land near Rachel’s Tomb on the Jerusalem‑Hebron Street to build the museum.
- The museum was fully established later, preserving folk arts, traditional costumes, embroidered items, old furniture and objects that reflect Bethlehem’s life in the early 20th century.
- Julia Dabdoub donated her personal forty‑year collection (photographs, furniture, works of art) to furnish the “upper room” (al‑Illiyeh) of the museum, showing what Bethlehem residences were like between about 1900‑1932.
AWU’s Social and Welfare Initiatives
- The AWU, under her presidency, continued longstanding work begun since its founding in 1947: initial relief to refugees during the 1948 Nakba, childcare, schooling, aid for needy women and children.
- They also provide embroidery work to women (especially from villages and refugee camps), preserving Palestinian embroidery culture, enabling income generation. The Embroidery Center project of AWU was established in 1968.
Cultural Preservation & Identity
- Julia saw the museum and AWU’s work not just as welfare or charity, but as preserving and asserting Palestinian identity, culture, folklore, especially in times of political instability and loss.
- The museum, gifts of items from families, and collecting traditional costumes and objects were ways she helped preserve heritage.

Legacy & Status

Even while not all goals were achieved during her lifetime (for example, in completing certain museum buildings), her vision has been foundational for the AWU’s cultural work.
Her work continues to be honored, especially the museum project whose vision and original conception is attributed to her.
Julia Kattan Dabdoub died in 2009.