AGBU Ladies’ Committee Honoring the Former Board Members

The Ladies’ Committee of the AGBU Beirut Chapter had the admirable idea of honoring the former board members of its branch. Despite unfavorable weather, on Thursday, December 11, 1980, the Knights Hall of the Alek Manoogian Club was filled, with long tables displaying programs that listed the names of 56 former committee members in chronological order. The head table was decorated with beautiful roses and seated several former members, including Mesdames Anjel Tovmasian, Rose Zavzavtchian, Sona Aharonian, Astghig Menak, Perjouhi Zavzavatchian, Seda Demirjian, Lena Yardimian, and Miss Seda Zavzavatchian. Also present were visiting guests: Mrs. Haroutiunian from Armenia and Mrs. Zayrmayr Keshishian from Egypt. The chairwoman of the committee, Mrs. Satenig Manougian, presented the purpose of the event and praised the spirit of sacrifice of Armenian women. She stated that AGBU’s national programs would not have been complete without the participation of women, and that thanks to their efforts, the organization had reached its present prosperous state. She then addressed the origins of the Beirut Ladies’ Committee. After the Second World War, when Lebanon was facing hardships, clothing, food, medicine, and other aid were sent from the Ladies’ Committee in America. Dedicated volunteer women joined together to distribute this assistance, and thus, on May 13, 1946, the Beirut Ladies’ Committee was founded. A Young Ladies’ Committee was also established, which regularly visited dispensaries and assisted in school health examinations. They organized membership drives, and in 1948 introduced classes in etiquette and flower arrangement. In concluding her speech, the chairwoman respectfully and gratefully commemorated the devoted former members who had passed away and wished long life to her former colleagues. Mrs. Azatouhi Simonian spoke about the symbolic significance of the day’s tribute. The secretary, Mrs. Rita Topjian, presented the moral and financial report for the 1979–1980 period. (Jan. 1981, pp. 26–29)---------------1980 12 11 AGBU HONORING THE LADIES AUXILIARY PAST MEMBERS IN LEBANON ------