Ensaff Sabagh Jawad

Ensaff Sabagh Jawad lost a husband and two sons during her lifetime. But she never let setbacks dictate her life.

Ensaff Jawad was the mother of nine children, including Ali Jawad, the founder of the Lebanese American Heritage Club. The resilient mother, who passed away earlier this year, was born in the southern Lebanese town of Nabatiyeh in the early 1920’s. Her father immigrated to Chile when she was young and she grew up with her uncle. Although fate and war took away loved ones from her, Ali Jawad said her mother remained powerful.

He said refusing to give up is the most valuable lesson she taught him.

Ali Jawad was a child when his father died. But he said his mother was able to fill the role of both parents adequately.

“She taught us to convert weakness into strength,” Jawad said. “In 2009, I went through a rough time. I almost lost everything in the recession. But then I looked to my mother, how she led the after my father died. I learned from her how to be strong.”