This March, AGBU organized a comprehensive series of events across its global network of Young Professionals (YP) and Chapters in recognition of International Women’s Day. The events served as a global platform for Armenian women, bringing them together through academic lectures, professional panels, cultural workshops, and community gatherings that elevated their voices and contributions.
This year’s calendar underscores the diversity of Armenian women’s contributions across professional fields and geographic contexts, while reaffirming AGBU’s enduring commitment to advancing and empowering women worldwide. It also highlights the vital role women play within the organization itself—as leaders, innovators, and stewards of community life.
Europe
Across Europe, AGBU Chapters and YP groups hosted programs exploring themes of identity, history, and professional achievement. In Dublin, the YPs organized an online presentation titled Armenian DNA: Myth vs. Genetic Reality, examining the intersection of genetic science and cultural identity. In London, a panel discussion, Armenians Shaping Their Own Paths, featured voices reflecting on the professional trajectories and contributions of Armenian women.
In southern France, AGBU Marseille hosted a Café Littéraire featuring author meet-and-greets and book signings centered on Armenian literature and women’s voices. YP Nice offered an Atelier Khatchkar, a hands-on workshop exploring one of the defining symbols of Armenian artistic heritage, while AGBU Milan organized a Women’s Day brunch for members of the local community.
On the Iberian Peninsula, YP Madrid presented El papel de la mujer Armenia, a program examining the historical and contemporary roles of Armenian women. YP Barcelona marked the occasion with a Calçotada, a traditional Catalan spring gathering that fostered a sense of community and cultural exchange.
In Berlin, the YPs hosted an online lecture, The Role of Armenian Women Throughout History and Their Impact Around the World, featuring Hasmik Khalapyan, Associate Professor, American University of Armenia (AUA) and author of The Armenian Women’s Movement in the Late Ottoman Empire: Modernity, Nationalism and Gender, alongside Gayane Aghabalyan and Elmira Ayvazyan, co-authors of Zarmanahrash Hay Kanayq, a scholarly volume dedicated to the lives and contributions of Armenian women.
AGBU Nicosia organized Wine and Watercolors to Celebrate Women, a creative event marking the occasion and AGBU Sofia organized an event featuring clinical psychologist and ABA therapist Alvina Vardanyan, who delivered a talk on parent-child relationships in both school and family settings.
North America
AGBU Toronto hosted Wellness, Wisdom and Real Talk: Armenian Women in Conversation, a moderated panel featuring writer and coach Nadine Araksi alongside Anita Mikaelian, Maida Hye, and Nicole Kouyoumdjian, addressing themes of health, identity, and professional experience.
In Montreal, the AGBU Ladies Committee celebrated the accomplishments of women in the arts, culture and music in a gathering at the AGBU Alex Manoogian Center.
At the AGBU Central Office in New York, in partnership with the Young Professionals of Greater New York, Women Shaping the World (WSTW) convened a distinguished group of panelists representing the fields of law, film, public service, and cultural preservation. Moderated by Alexis Alexanian, Independent Producer and President Emerita of New York Women in Film & Television, the panel featured Yelena Ambartsumian, Founder of AMBART LAW and AI governance expert; Kristina Arakelyan, Adjunct Assistant Professor of Public Service at NYU and public policy specialist; and Talar Sesetyan Sarafian, Co-Founder of Aran Wines and community leader.
South America
In the heart of South America, the Ladies Committee of AGBU Buenos Aires hosted a gathering at the AGBU center, drawing attendees from the local community with music, refreshments, and an opportunity to connect with like-minded women in the area.
Reflecting on the significance of the month, Central Board Member Ani Manoukian noted: “International Women’s Day offers an annual occasion to reaffirm AGBU’s longstanding commitment to the advancement and empowerment of women, especially through signature socio-economic development programs in Armenia. This year’s events are a testament to that commitment in action.”
The Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU) is the world’s largest non-profit organization devoted to uplifting the Armenian lives through educational, cultural, socio-economic and humanitarian programs. Each year, AGBU is committed to making a difference in the lives of 500,000 people across Armenia and the Armenian diaspora. Since 1906, AGBU has remained true to one overarching goal: to create a foundation for the prosperity of all Armenians. To learn more visit www.agbu.org.
