Boston, MA – April 2024 – The American Lebanese Engineering Society (ALES) gathered for their Annual April Dinner over the weekend, celebrating the exceptional achievements of distinguished architects and engineers of American Lebanese heritage. This year’s honoree, Ms. Terry Bitar, architect, philanthropist, and founder of Bitarchitects, was recognized for her outstanding contributions to the field and her remarkable leadership within the industry.

ALES, known for its mission to break stereotypes and foster a culture of support within the Lebanese community, invited Ms. Bitar to share her inspiring story and insights at the weekend event held in Boston. The weekend commenced with a launch event on Saturday, bringing together ALES founders, supporters, and prominent engineers to discuss important topics and strategies for achieving the society’s goals.

On Sunday evening, the ALES Annual April Dinner took place at Byblos restaurant in Boston, gathering 120 attendees for an inspiring evening of recognition and celebration. The event served a dual purpose, not only honoring Ms. Bitar’s achievements but also fundraising for scholarships to support aspiring Lebanese students in architecture and engineering fields. The dinner successfully funded three scholarships, with an additional two scholarships provided by Ms. Bitar herself.

In a remarkable moment, Ms. Bitar delivered an unprepared, emotional speech from the heart, highlighting the struggles, pain, and challenges faced by the Lebanese people. Her heartfelt words resonated deeply with the audience, leaving everyone emotionally impacted. Following her speech, Ms. Bitar expressed her gratitude for the recognition, stating, “It’s an honor to be recognized by ALES for my contributions to the field of architecture and engineering. I’m deeply committed to supporting and empowering future generations of Lebanese professionals, and I’m thrilled to contribute to such a worthy cause.“

In her closing remarks, Ms. Bitar emphasized the importance of collaboration and mentorship within the Lebanese community, highlighting the potential for collective impact when individuals come together to support one another. As the evening drew to a close, attendees left inspired and motivated, carrying with them a renewed sense of purpose and a commitment to driving positive change within their respective fields.