Meet the new WLCU ECOSOC representative, Hana Rustom Archbold (San Francisco).
Dhour Shweir Lebanon, is the place I call my first home.At my adopted home and as a proud parent, I served as a volunteer fundraising director for the Boy Scouts of America, Atherton Troop 206, for over 7 years. I also volunteered to assist in the Art department and for Advanced Mathematics program in our local schools. Both Bernard and George achieved highest honors as Eagle Scouts and received recognition from their peers, local mayor, governor and President Obama. George is studying Bio Engineering at UCLA and Bernard is studying international law at George Mason University. I am so proud of both of them. Their generation will soon become our future leaders and hope they in turn will be inspiration to others.
Even when I visit my first home for a few weeks, I cannot help but volunteer for worthy causes. Recent examples include a program sponsored by the Ministry of Tourism to raise awareness about the risks of drugs, tobacco and reckless driving and in another program sponsored by Shweir Municipality as part of the Lebanese Emigrant festival that earned Lebanon two Guinness World records.
I have worked in the high tech industry for over 17 years. During the past six years, I simultaneously served on the Board for two organizations: I was president of Lebanese American University (LAU) Northern California Alum Chapter and I was the vice president for the Lebanese American Association (LAA). Recently I joined the World Lebanese Cultural Union (WLCU) San Francisco Chapter as a Board member. WLCU is a non-governmental, non-political, non-ethnical non-racial, non-religious and non-profit organization. LAA has a similar mission and values but is a local organization only.
Currently, I am working with the WLCU at the UN trying to achieve the following objectives in our beloved country Lebanon:
- Abolishing domestic abuse by enforcing deterring laws
- Education and training of Lebanese women
- Equal civil rights for women and men in front of the law
- Protecting children rights and eliminating child marriages
- Adopting civil marriage and separation of church and state
My dream regarding our beloved Lebanon is that when a Lebanese meets another Lebanese she/he does not wonder where the other is from because region, political inclination or religion no longer matters. My dream is that when a Lebanese needs a service he/she gives priority to his/her countrymen and women because if we do not help each other who will. We have to remember that it is more important to be humans rather than being important.
- Abolishing domestic abuse by enforcing deterring laws
I came to the USA seeking higher education and brighter future. I am married to John Archbold whom I met when I was studying for my Masters in Computer Science at University of San Francisco (USF). We have been married for 27 years and we have two boys Bernard (24 years) and George (18 years).
Building a strong community has always been high priority for me. My parents, teachers and family were my role models that influenced my inspiration, values and passion for life. I learned from their positive examples to help our neighbors and build successful communities where everyone benefits. I am grateful to those who helped me or facilitated great opportunities and in return, I will continue to take bolder steps to open windows if not doors to those less fortunate.
Summary
My dream regarding our beloved Lebanon is that when a Lebanese meets another Lebanese she/he does not wonder where the other is from because region, political inclination or religion no longer matters.
