under the pseudonym of Durrat al-Sharq (Pearl of the East). According to the Critical Reference Guide of Arab Women Writers, Fawwaz was "the first woman's voice calling for the women's awakening and defending their rights, humanity, and equality with men." It was during her stay in Damascus with her second husband, the writer Adib Nazmi al-Dimashqi, that Zaynab Fawwaz founded a literary salon. As she wore the "niqab" and could not sit with the male participants; she would sit in another room of the house conducting the discussion, with her husband acting as the messenger for her and her guests. Besides her journalism, Zaynab was particularly noted for her "الدر المنثور في طبقات ربات الخدور", (The Book of Scattered Pearls Regarding Categories of Women, 1894–95), a large-folio, 552-page biographical dictionary of some 456 women and their achievements. It is important to note that Zaynab did not write anything about herself in this work, but rather she celebrated and supported other women's achievements. Zaynab also wrote two novels and a play, putting her at the forefront of the emergence of the novel in Arabic. Her first novel was "حسن العواقب", (The Happy Ending, 1899) and is considered to be the first novel written by an Arab female. In this novel, Zaynab dared to criticize the society in which she lived. This act was considered very courageous and heroic. In her writing, Zaynab showed that she supports women's free will and decision-making. She also glorified women's self-esteem and confidence. It is believed that Zaynab's intention behind this novel is to praise women's strength and perseverance as well as their rights in education. She also showed that marriage should be based on love and understanding. Her play, "الهوى والوفاء" (Love and Faithfulness, 1893), was the first play written in Arabic by a woman. Zaynab has many other published books including: "الرسائل الزينبية", in which she argued about women's rights in education and in the work field. "مدراك الكمال في تراجم الرجال" "الجوهر النضيد في مآثر الملك الحميد" "الملك قوروش" Philosophical and political views Zaynab Fawwaz was a women's rights activist. Her tendency to liberate women was visible in many situations. She started with encouraging the citizens of her country to participate in all meetings, exhibitions, and associations related to women's rights to proper education, and specifically the conference of the International Women's Union in Santiago in 1893. During that conference, the members voted