Zein al-Sharaf played a major role in the political development of the Jordanian Kingdom in the early 1950s, by supporting efforts in
charitable works and
women's rights. She took part in the writing of the
1952 Constitution that gave certain rights to women and enhanced the social development of the country. She also created the first women's
union of Jordan in 1944. Zein al-Sharaf further filled a constitutional vacuum after the assassination of the late
King Abdullah I in 1951, while the newly proclaimed King Talal was being treated outside the Kingdom. The Queen again performed this role during the period between August 1952, when her son, King Hussein, was proclaimed monarch, and May 1953, when he assumed constitutional duties at the age of eighteen. Following the arrival of
Palestinian refugees into Jordan after the
1948 Arab-Israeli War, she led national relief efforts to help the tens of thousands of refugees. She was also instrumental in establishing the women's branch of the Jordan National
Red Crescent Society in 1948. Throughout her life, Queen Zein al-Sharaf dedicated time and energy to the Um Al Hussein
orphanage in
Amman. ==Honours==