Blog Archives
Armenian Assembly of America Announces New South Florida Regional Council For 2015-2016
PALM BEACH, FL – The Armenian Assembly of America (Assembly) is pleased to announce a new slate for the Assembly’s South Florida Regional Council (SFRC) for 2015-2016. The mission of the South Florida Regional Council is to advance Armenian American issues at the local and state level, hold events such as the annual board of trustees meeting, and assist in the development and growth of the organization in South Florida. The new Assembly SFRC includes Lu Ann Ohanian (Boca Raton), Board Member; Arsine Kaloustian (Palm Beach), Chair; Carol Norigian (Boynton Beach), Vice Chair; Marta Batmasian (Boca Raton); and Harout Samra (Miami).
Arsine Kaloustian, Public Affairs Director for Florida Armenians and Chairwoman of South Florida’s Armenian Genocide Commemoration, Inc., will serve as the Assembly SFRC Chair effective immediately. Kaloustian brings years of public relations, event planning, and fundraising experience to the council. Batmasian, an Assembly Trustee for over two decades, is a highly respected community leader and philanthropist in South Florida. Samra, a Miami-based attorney, is an active member in the Armenian community in South Florida. Norigian, a life-long activist in several Armenian American organizations, has managed the Assembly SFRC since 2007 and will serve as Vice Chair effective immediately. Assembly Board Member Lu Ann Ohanian will continue to serve on the council in her official capacity.
“Together, Arsine, Carol, Marta, and Harout make a dynamic team and I’m excited to begin working with them to carry out the Assembly’s mission right here in South Florida,” Ohanian said.
Established in 1972, the Armenian Assembly of America is the largest Washington-based nationwide organization promoting public understanding and awareness of Armenian issues. The Assembly is a non-partisan, 501(c)(3) tax-exempt membership organization.
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BEDROS: A Story About Survival
By Mercedes Gechidjian
FLArmenians Miami Contributor
On Friday, March 13, the Armenian Assembly of America’s annual members weekend launched with the presentation of Irene Vosbikian’s book, BEDROS. The novel uncovers the story of Vosbikian’s father-in-law, Bedros Vosbikian, as he travels from the Ottoman Empire to the United States two years before the official outset of the Armenian Genocide in 1915. After marrying her husband, Peter Vosbikian, at a young age Irene spent hours listening to her father-in-law’s recollection of stories about survival, escape, and life as an orphan. Bedros, or the “Armenian Godfather” as the author remembers him, was greatly influential in her life. His stories inspired her to take a deeper look into the atrocities that befell the Armenian people from 1915 to 1923. Her curiosity and sympathy towards the subject resulted in the creation of this haunting story.
Bedros, which the author described as “a historical novel, with a lot of truism and not” was updated in content, and was re-released to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. “It’s about survival and going beyond,” Vosbikian told FLArmenians.com. “It’s a story about growing, bravery, and triumph,” she said. It is for this reason that she decided to add new anecdotes from her father-in-law and stories from other Genocide survivors in the second edition. Copies of the novel were available for purchase with all the revenues dedicated to the Armenian Assembly of America.
Assembly Board Co-Chair Anthony Barsamian, George Clooney, Assembly Board President Carolyn Mugar at the launch of the 100 Lives Initiative in New York City.
Socializing over hors d’oeuvres and refreshments, guests also heard from Assembly Board of Trustees Co-Chair Anthony Barsamian, who discussed the 100 Lives Project, a new initiative by Vartan Gregorian, Ruben Vardanyan and Noubar Afeyan to honor the victims of the Armenian Genocide. As stated in the organization’s website, 100 Lives has two goals: to thank those who helped Armenians 100 years ago, as well as continue the legacy and the remembrance of the genocide through the collection of stories. 100 Lives was founded in cooperation with Academy Award Winner, George Clooney’s organization, Not On Our Watch.
On the eve of the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, Armenians around the world are taking bold steps to remember and demand the recognition of a genocide that re-shaped the lives of an entire nation.
Florida Armenians 