By Skylar Yoder
In honor of International Women’s Month, the London-based Armenian Institute held an event Wonder Women: Celebrating Armenian Women Throughout the Ages. Host Tatiana der Avedissian, a communications specialist and chair of the Institute, presented on a number of inspiring Armenian women from writers and activists to scientists and artists.
From a young age, Der Avedissian loved literature by female authors and looked up to women making a difference in society. When she realized she knew little of Armenian women and how they have shaped the country’s culture and history, she decided to dig deeper. Her presentation highlighted the lives and impact of a number of important Armenian women, such as the goddess Anahit, Zabel Yessayan, and Agnes Joaquim.
Der Avedissian explained that the goddess Anahit was an important pre-Christian figure in Armenia symbolizing water, fertility, and wisdom. Symbols of Anahit can be found on present-day Armenian stamps and banknotes. Notably, an iconic bronze statue of the goddess that is traditionally held at the British Museum in London will be on display in Armenia for the first time later this year.
Der Avedissian also presented Armenian women from the period around the genocide, demonstrating how they influenced history. One such figure was Zabel Yessayan, targeted by the Ottoman government in 1915 for her intellectual work. She fled to France for a period before returning to Soviet Armenia where she wrote about issues of women’s rights and the genocide. She was arrested in Soviet Armenia for nationalism during the Great Purge and later died in prison.
In terms of scientific discoveries, Der Avedissian shared the story of Agnes Joaquim, a Singaporean-Armenian horticulturist who created an orchid hybrid. This flower, originally called the Vanda Miss Joaquim, was made the national flower of Singapore in 1981.
After highlighting the lengthy accomplishments of so many impressive Armenian women, Der Avedissian noted that although these historical and iconic figures are revered by society today, this is not often the experience of the average Armenian woman. Issues of domestic violence, femicide, and societal expectations make everyday life more difficult for women and there is work that must be done to change this status quo. Human Rights Watch recently released its annual report, which confirms these challenges amongst others in Armenia.
In an effort to drive change, the Armenian Institute focuses its work on gender and LGBT issues to encourage conversations on the topic.
