ARS Montreal and ARS Laval Celebrate IWD 2026
International Women’s Day for the Armenian Relief Society of Montreal and Laval is not just about one day of celebration and coming together. It is about years of long term commitment, sacrifice and unwavering dedication to a cause that goes far beyond mere words or good intentions. Simply put, it is a promise fulfilled by all those who believe in the cause. On March 15, 2026 under the initiatives of the ARS Montreal “Sosse” chapter and the Laval “Shoushi” chapter organized a joint committee to celebrate International Women’s Day at the Montreal Homenetmen Gamk “Haig Markarian” gymnasium. The event’s Honorary President is dedicated member Engerouhie Diana Hajetian.
The ARS members, sister organizations along with local and provincial government representatives were welcomed in the reception hall with a mocktail by two young Hamazkayn “Ani” dancers in traditional costumes to a lavish buffet brunch. The theme of all things Armenian continued on the stage decoration where a beautiful image of an Armenian woman placed on a banner holding a pomegranate took over the space and was visible at any angle. The beautifully set stage welcomed the two masters of ceremonies and committee members Araz Yaghjian (who delivered her opening remarks in French) and Lucy Melkonian (who delivered her opening remarks in Armenian). The official portion of the event started off with the national anthems of Canada, Armenia, Artsakh and ARS. The two hosts welcomed all on behalf of the committee members to the event. On behalf of the committee they welcomed the honorary president of the event Eng. Diana Hajetian along with all official attendees. In attendance were ARS Central Executive board member Eng. Arminee Karabetian, president of ARS Canada Engerouhie Lucy Chahinian, local ARS presidents, sister organizations and government representatives;
The masters of ceremonies touched on the theme of the International Women’s Day of “Give to Gain” delivering the opening remarks, noting that International Women’s Day serves us as a reminder of the merits of the Armenian women as well as the special occasion to re-evaluate the mission of ARS. After the opening remarks the attendees listened to Shiraz Penenia’s beautiful performances of Armenian folk songs on two instruments. (flute and flute transverse)
The host then introduced the biographical highlights of the keynote speaker Dr. Nyree Derderian who at the age of 21 became an ARS member following in the footsteps of her mother and grandmother. For the past thirty years Dr. Nyree has served actively in the Armenian Relief Society and has held various positions. Most recently she held a very important and responsible position serving as Chairman of the Central Board of the Armenian Relief Society. She co-ordinated and supervised the activities at the international level across 27 countries. Her long list of work in ARS continues till this day.
Nyree now runs a nonprofit consulting firm while continuing to lecture and mentor youth and advocate for Armenian causes globally. In 2024, she was honoured by the county of Los Angeles for her contribution to the Armenian community.
Dr. Nyree began her speech with audience involvement by having everyone close their eyes or simply pause and think of “one women;
“One woman who helped shape who you are today”
“Maybe she encouraged you when you doubted”
“Maybe she opened the door you didn’t know existed”
“Maybe she mentioned you quietly, without ever asking for recognition”
“Maybe she defended you when your voice felt small”
“Maybe she believed in you before you believed in yourself”
With this introduction she set the mood for the rest of her speech.
With the theme of “Give to Gain”
Nyree brought the answers back to us by saying,
“She did not gain money”
“She did not gain status”
“She may not even realize the impact she made”,
“She gained legacy, continuity, purpose
She gained you.”
And with those opening remarks not only did she set the tone to her speech she covered what it is to be an ARS member.” We believe in the collective strength, compassion and leadership of the Armenian Relief Society.” She continued to say, “Give to Gain” “two simple words, in the very act of giving, is something our grandmothers understood long before the world had language for it; that to give, freely and with purpose , is not diminishment of self. It is the making of it.” she said.
The ARS was founded in 1910, five years before the Armenian Genocide. Armenian women in New York looked at the suffering of their fellow Armenians and did not look away. “She continues to say, “ They organized. They stitched. They wrote. They fundraised. They gave what they had, time, money and their own safety, to sustain others.”
Dr. Nyree continues to say how at the “most painful chapters of our nation’s history” the Armenian women were relentless and did what they had to “choosing action over fear.”
The history of Armenians throughout the 20th century has always been confronted by obstacles from wars to displacements either in the homeland or in the diaspora. There has always been a shift in the livelihoods of all Armenians and ARS has always been there in accommodating the shifts to the best of their capability. The shift of those who have lost or who have suffered or simply who have lost faith in all things life.
“When families were displaced, we responded.” “When communities struggled, we built”
Where there is any suffering at any level the ARS is there for all.
Her speech gave way to the many projects that ARS has initiated and has successfully carried out throughout the years. The ARS is known for its generosity and she emphasized that giving is not only monetary but giving in ARS is “respect, visibility, knowledge, justice, resources, voice, protection, truth, workshops, access, motivation, role models and most importantly time.” She concludes by saying, “one day, history will ask what we did in the moments that mattered,
and I hope it will say that we stood together, that we chose service over silence and that we lived the very spirit of the ARS our identity , and one another, generation after generation.”
Following the very inspirational speech by Dr. Nyree the committee president Arpie Sanossian was called on stage to give Dr. Nyree a memento for her inspiring speech and dedication to the cause and the organization.
The “Knar” choir of Hamazkayn Quebec “Sanahin” chapter under the direction of conductor Sarkis Barsemian sang two Armenian songs and one in English. The music was rich and beautiful, enchanting the ears of everyone present.
The event then continued with the biography of the Honorary President of the day, Engerouhie, Diana Hajetian who to this day continues her dedication to the Armenian causes.
Eng. Diana, in her acceptance speech as the honorary president for the event, said that the young people’s dedication to the cause and their constant willingness to help only shows a brighter future for the organization.
The event ended with the MC’s calling up the president of the committee eng. Arpie Sanossian with her closing remarks and thanking everyone for coming to the event and support for the organization and including all those who helped organize and bring the event to light with their participation and unwavering support.
Noushig Ghazarian Nalpatian