ARMENIAN WOMEN FROM THROUGHOUT WORLD GATHER FOR CELEBRATION OF ARS
armenian-women-from-throughout-world-gather-for-ce lebration-of-ars
Monday March 22, 2010
New York – 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