ARMENIAN RELIEF SOCIETY, INC.
Central Office
80 Bigelow Avenue
Watertown, MA 02472
Contact Person: Hamesd Beugekian
Tel: 617-926-5892
Fax: 617-926-4855
E-Mail: secretary@ars1910.org
ARMENIAN WOMEN FROM THROUGHOUT THE WORLD GATHER FOR CELEBRATION
Armenian Relief Society Centennial Gathering
New York, NY – Armenian Relief Society (ARS) members from various countries,
including Greece, France, Cyprus, Lebanon, Syria, Argentina, Brazil, Canada
as well as the United States gathered in New York City this weekend to
celebrate the organization’s 100th anniversary.
The three-day celebration, organized by the ARS Central Executive Board,
began with a gala evening at Carnegie Weill Recital Hall. The evening’s
keynote speaker, Ms. Mary Ellen Iskenderian, President and CEO of Women’s
World Banking, praised the ARS for its philanthropic and charitable work.
She touched upon the changes in the non-profit sector, mentioning that
investment in women’s economic development has shown to be successful. She
urged the gathering to continue promoting educational, healthcare, housing
and welfare issues for Armenian families throughout the world.
The evening began with master of ceremonies Ms. Stephanie Mesropian
reflecting upon the 100 years of ARS service to the Armenian communities.
Ms. Mesropian described the humanitarian work of the ARS as it evolves
during the past century. She also touched upon the organization’s future
with special focus on the programs in Armenia, Artsakh and Javakh. The
master of ceremonies introduced invited guests, including benefactors,
organizational representative, church leaders, and U.N. representatives (see
below for a full list of officials who attended the ARS Centennial
Gathering).
Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan, Prelate, Eastern Prelacy of the Armenian
Apostolic Church of America, was invited to read the Pontifical Encyclical
of His Holiness Aram I Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, who
declared 2010 the Year of the Armenian Woman, congratulating the ARS on its
100 years of selfless service to the Armenian nation.
His Excellency Tatoul Markarian, Ambassador of the Republic of Armenia to
the United States, delivered a message from Armenia’s Minister of Diaspora,
Hranoush Hakobyan. The Ambassador also offered his personal congratulations
and urged the members to continue its mission.
Armenian Revolutionary Federation Bureau member, Hagop Der Khatchadourian
and Dr. Vartan Gregorian, President of the Carnegie Corporation and passed
recipient of ARS scholarships, offered their remarks.
Mrs. Vicky Marashlian, Chairperson of the ARS Central Executive Board,
reminded everyone of the work that the ARS has undertaken. "The ARS works on
a full spectrum of issues; from local community efforts, to sheltering and
feeding orphans in the Homeland, to promoting an awareness of our vibrant
culture, and of equal justice wherever and whenever people are denied basic
rights," she stated. Mrs. Marshlian speaking to the membership in the
audience emphasized that "we are an alliance of strong, passionate women
catalyzing partnerships and leveraging human and financial capital to serve
the needs of our people."
At the conclusion of her address, she presented the ARS "Ararat" Award to
the Near East Foundation, an organization who is celebrating it’s 95th
anniversary and was started the same year as the tragic Armenian genocide in
1915. Shant Mardirosian, Chairman of the Near East foundation, accepted the
award with great honor and thanked the ARS for acknowledging the work their
organization does.
The evening featured a vibrant performance by opera singers Yeghishe
Manucharyan, tenor and Victoria Avetisyan, mezzo-soprano. They were
accompanied on piano by Armine Vardanyan; and Ms. Alisa Nakashian-Holsberg
on the glass armonica.
The celebration concluded with a reception which gave all those in
attendance an opportunity to collectively congratulate the ARS’ 100 years of
service to the Armenian people.
In addition to the Wednesday night celebration, the members who had gathered
from throughout the world attended a one-day seminar on various topics,
including UN NGOs; Armenian women and empowerment; international
philanthropy and internal organizational issues.
The 100th anniversary is also being celebrated with local and regional
events throughout the 26 countries where ARS entities are located.
The New York-based gathering is part of a series of events that will
culminate this fall with a pilgrimage to Der Zor, the Syrian desert where
hundreds of thousands of Armenians perished during the Genocide and a
week-long celebration in Armenia.
List of officials who attended the ARS Centennial Gathering:
— Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan, Prelate of the Armenian Apostolic Church in
the Eastern USA
— Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate of the Armenian Apostolic
Church in the Western USA
— Archbishop Manuel Batakian, Exarch of the Armenian Catholic Church in
North America
— Mr. Levon Filian representing the Armenian Missionary Association of
America
— Mr. Tatoul Markarian, Ambassador of the Republic of Armenia in the USA
— Mr. & Mrs. Garen Nazarian, Representative of the Republic of Armenia at
the UN
— Mr. Aram Avetisyan representing the NKR Representation in the USA
— Mr. Hagop Der Khachatourian representing the ARF Bureau
— Mr. Hrayr Baronian representing the ARF Central Committee, Eastern USA
— Ms. Garine Hovsepian representing the ARF Central Committee, Canada
— Mr. Zarmayr Setrakian representing the Hamazkayin Educational and
Cultural Association
— Mr. Shant Martirossian representing the Near East Relief Foundation
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress