Press Releases 2008
U.S. Establishes Reading Room at Fatima Jinnah Women University
September 16, 2008
Islamabad - U.S. Ambassador to Pakistan, Anne W. Patterson, today inaugurated the Susan B. Anthony Reading Room at the Central Library of Fatima Jinnah Women University, declaring it "Another milestone in the dynamic partnership between the FJWU and the U.S. Mission in Pakistan."
The Reading Room is named after Susan B. Anthony, the nineteenth century American woman, who was known for her advocacy in the areas of education, improved working conditions, voting rights, and abolition of slavery.
"The Susan B. Anthony Reading Room will both symbolize and serve the cause of mutual understanding and the deepening partnership between our two countries and peoples," Ambassador Patterson said.
The American Ambassador noted that pairing Fatima Jinnah and Susan B. Anthony was a fortuitous choice. "Both of these women were vanguards in their societies and neither was afraid of losing a battle, but kept on fighting to win the war".
The Susan B. Anthony Reading Room is a resource center offering information on U.S. history, economy, politics, society, culture, and education. In addition to reference materials, books, magazines, videos, DVDs and software, the Room will have two computers with Internet connections for quick access to information from around the world.
Ambassador Patterson observed that today strong women were not only shaped by economic or political necessity but also by preference, talent, and vision.
"Strong women are not rigid; they are not the unwavering keepers of traditional roles, but they are looking towards the future - to contribute to their society, their country, and their world," the American Ambassador noted.