ARMENIAN GENERAL BENEVOLENT UNION SEPT. 2017 Paving the Path to Success How women in Armenia and the Republic of Artsakh are shaping the future A LIFE OF SERVICE FORMER NAVY SECRETARY PAUL IGNATIUS REFLECTS ON HIS CAREER AND HERITAGE P.30 Armenian General Benevolent Union ESTABLISHED IN 1906 Central Board of Directors Հայկական Բարեգործական Ընդհանուր Միութիւն President Berge Setrakian Mission Vice Presidents To preserve and promote the Armenian heritage through worldwide educational, cul- Sam Simonian tural and humanitarian programs Sinan Sinanian Treasurer Annual International Budget Nazareth A. Festekjian USD Assistant Treasurer Forty-six million dollars ( ) Yervant Demirjian Education Secretary 24 primary, secondary, preparatory and Saturday schools; scholarships; alternative edu- Sarkis Jebejian cational resources (apps, e-books, AGBU WebTalks & more); American University of Assistant Secretary Armenia (AUA); AUA Extension—AGBU NKR Program; Armenian Virtual College Arda Haratunian (AVC); TUMO x AGBU Honorary Member Cultural, Humanitarian and Religious His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of all Armenians AGBU News Magazine; the AGBU Humanitarian Emergency Relief Fund for Syrian Members Armenians; athletics; camps; choral groups; concerts; dance; films; lectures; library re- UNITED STATES search centers; medical centers; mentorships; music competitions; publica- tions; radio; scouts; summer internships; theater; youth trips to Armenia. Armenia: Noubar Afeyan Holy Etchmiadzin; Arapkir, Malatya and Nork Children’s Centers and Senior Dining Eric Esrailian Centers; Hye Geen Women’s Centers; Sevan Theological Seminary; Ultrasound Center. Ani Manoukian Republic of Artsakh: Chamber Orchestra Lori Muncherian Levon Nazarian Districts, Chapters, Centers and Offices Yervant Zorian Argentina: Armenia: Artsakh: Austra- ARMENIA Buenos Aires, Córdoba; Yerevan; Stepanakert; lia: Melbourne, Sydney; Austria: Vienna; Belgium: Brussels; Brazil: São Paulo; Bul- Armen Sarkissian garia: Sofia, Plovdiv, Burgas, Dobrich, Haskovo, Russe, Silistra, Sliven, Yambol; Vasken Yacoubian Canada: Cyprus: Egypt: CANADA Montréal, Toronto; Larnaca, Nicosia; Alexandria, Heliopolis; Ethiopia: Addis Ababa; France: Lyon, Marseille, Nice, Paris, St. Chamond-St. Étienne, Lena Sarkissian Valence, Vienne; Germany: Hamburg; Greece: Athens; Iran: Tehran; Iraq: Baghdad; FRANCE Italy: Milan; Lebanon: Beirut, Zahlé, Amanos, Antelias, Sin el-Fil; The Netherlands: Aris Atamian Almelo; South Africa: Johannesburg; Spain: Barcelona; Switzerland: Geneva; Syria: RUSSIA Aleppo, Damascus, Kamishli, Kessab, Latakia, Yacoubieh; Uruguay: Montevideo; Ruben Vardanyan UAE: Dubai; United Kingdom: London; United States: Arizona, Boston, Canoga SWITZERLAND Park, Chicago, Cleveland, Detroit, Fresno, Glendale, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, New Vahe Gabrache York, Orange County, Pasadena, San Diego, San Fernando Valley, Silicon Valley, UNITED KINGDOM Washington, D.C. Arnaud Attamian Young Professionals Joseph Oughourlian Council of Trustees Argentina: YP Buenos Aires; Armenia: YP Yerevan; Austria: YP Austria; Belgium: YP Belgium; Brazil: YP Brazil; Bulgaria: YP Sofia, YP Plovdiv; Canada: YP Montréal, YP Sarkis Demirdjian Denmark: France: Toronto; YP Copenhagen; YP Lyon Rhône-Alpes, YP Marseille, YP Richard Manoogian Germany: Greece: Iran: Lebanon: Vatche Manoukian Paris; HAIK (Frankfurt); YP Athens; YP Tehran; YP Lebanon; The Netherlands: YP Amsterdam; Russia: YP Moscow; Switzerland: YP Nazar Nazarian Turkey: United Kingdom: United States: Louise Manoogian Simone Switzerland; (UTI) Istanbul; YP London; Karnig Yacoubian YP Arizona, YP Boston, YP Chicago, YP Detroit, YP Houston, YP Los Angeles, YP In Memoriam Greater New York, YP Philadelphia, YP Northern California, YP Washington, D.C. Boghos Nubar, Founder Alex Manoogian, Honorary Life President 2 AGBU September 2017 | www.agbu.org Editorial he evolution of Armenia as an independent menia and Artsakh. Through the perspectives of a number nation over the last quarter of a century has of formidable women making their mark in their respec- prompted much debate about the country’s tive fields, we highlight their impact in breaking down political direction, socio-economic condi- barriers, overcoming cultural stereotypes and gender dis- tions and the impact of continued conflict in crimination, while setting examples as positive role mod- the Republic of Artsakh. Largely absent from els for the next generation of women. Tthe national conversation, however, has been any discussion As part of our spotlight on the role of women, we also of the essential role of women in help- celebrate the success of the HALO ing shape the future of Armenia and Trust in employing courageous wom- contribute to its economic and social en to help rid Artsakh of deadly land prosperity. mines. HALO Trust has made hiring Armenia’s traditional patriarchal local women a priority, including wid- society is changing. Women today ac- ows and mothers with no other sourc- count for more of the population than es of income. By empowering these their male counterparts, are living brave women, HALO Trust is sup- longer than men, and make up the porting their families and helping fastest growing segment of the work- them secure the future of their com- force. These demographic and genera- munities by revitalizing land ravaged tional changes are reshaping cultural by war for farmers to once again culti- attitudes and stereotypes that for too vate and by helping residents to live long have served as a significant ob- without fear. stacle to female participation in the The past few months have also wit- public sphere. nessed successful, fair and transparent At the same time, women are attain- parliamentary elections in Armenia, new ing greater prominence, gradually ad- hope in Aleppo, Syria as the process vancing to the top ranks in government, of rebuilding begins after a protracted business and healthcare, which were six-year conflict and a worrisome, deep- once the exclusive domain of men. While they remain vast- ening divide in Turkey over its president’s autocratic rule. ly underrepresented, especially in politics and senior man- How these developments continue to unfold in the months agement positions, there are encouraging signs that the ahead will have important ramifications for political sta- economic and political participation of Armenian women is bility at home and throughout the Middle East. on the rise. Lastly, from the Armenian diaspora, we look back on the In this issue of the AGBU News Magazine, we explore extraordinary career of an American statesman who re- how the emergence of women in positions of senior lead- turned to his Armenian roots in an exclusive interview ership is changing society in both the Republics of Ar- with former navy secretary Paul Ignatius. Berge Setrakian President www.agbu.org | September 2017 AGBU 3 ARMENIAN GENERAL BENEVOLENT UNION SEPT. 2017 Volume 27/Number 2 www.agbu.org 03 Editorial 06 Features 06 Women of Artsakh Challenging convention and changing the world around them 14 Making Their Voices Heard How women leaders are raising the standard in Armenia 22 In Pictures: Clearing a Safe Path How women are helping to make the Republic of Artsakh landmine-free 28 A Life of Service Former navy secretary Paul Ignatius reflects on his storied career and Armenian heritage 32 The Seeds of Democratic Reform Assessing the aftermath of Armenia’s parliamentary elections 34 Rising from the Rubble Aleppo’s Armenian community turns toward the future 36 A Nation Divided Turkey’s referendum gives president sweeping new powers amidst ongoing crackdown on opposition 37 Philanthropist and Businessman Vatche Manoukian Joins AGBU Council of Trustees 38 Education 38 Cultural Currency Showcasing the Armenian arts to diverse audiences By Michael Sarian 42 AGBU Scholarship Program Supports Hundreds of Students Worldwide AGBU distributes over $800,000 in scholarships for the 2016-2017 academic year 44 AGBU Donors 45 Zareh Demirjian: The Armenian Hematologist with a Great Love for his Community 46 Shant Mardirossian: From Relief Programs to Internship Programs 4 8 William Aznavourian: The Bedrock of the Armenian Community of Providence 50 Maral Ani Avakian: A Life of Music 6 4 AGBU News 64 Highlights 69 Young Professionals 7 1 Chapters 82 Bookstore AGBU News Magazine is published by the Central Board of the Armenian General Benevolent Union: 55 East 59th Street, New York, NY 10022-1112. Tel:212 319-6383 Fax: 212 319-6507/08. E-Mail: [email protected]. POSTMASTERS: Send address changes to above. Printed in U.S.A. 4 AGBU September 2017 | www.agbu.org AGBU News Magazine COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR Lara Messerlian EDITOR Daniel Halton EDITORIAL STAFF Randa Akda, Anita Anserian, Alex Basmagian, Hrant Kamalyan, Vahe Kiljian, Jennifer Manoukian, Karen Papazian, Linda Ravul, Olya Yordanyan ART DIRECTOR Levi Nicholson/Biohazard Design This publication of the Armenian General Benevolent Union is mailed free of charge to members and donors of the organization. If you are not a regular contributor and wish to continue receiving the AGBU News Magazine, please send a minimum contribution of $25.00 in the envelope enclosed in the issue. The AGBU News Magazine Page is circulated in twenty-eight countries around the world. 14 www.agbu.org | September 2017 AGBU 5 6 AGBU September 2017 | www.agbu.org Women of Artsakh Challenging convention and changing the world around them By OLYA YORDANYAN www.agbu.org | September 2017 AGBU 7 ith the outbreak Over the past several years, a growing of war in