Speech #980197731

Mrs. Ayvasian is a truly remarkable person. Born in the Soviet Union. she was in her youth caught up in the turmoil of World War II. severely wounded and spent time in a German concentration camp before being released through the efforts of the Armenian Refugee Committee. After the war. she and her family found their way to the United States arriving in Providence. R.I.. in 1950. As a refugee. Mrs. Ayvasian worked initially in a jewelry factory and as a dressmaker while. at the same time. adding English to her skills in the Armenian. Russian. German. and Italian languages and working as a volunteer at the International Institute of Rhode Island. Fifteen years ago. in 1969. she joined the staff of the institute as a social case aide. won promotions as a supervisor and immigration and naturalization counselor. and nearly 7 years ago became the executive director of the institute. During her tenure as executive director. the institute has grown significantly. moved to new and larger quarters and broadened its services. Under Mrs. Ayvasians direction. the institute provided essential services to aid thousands of refugees from Indochina who settled in Rhode Island after the war in Southeast Asia. Mrs. Ayvasians work on behalf of refugees and immigrants of many nationalities in Rhode Island have won her widespread recognition and many honors. In 1977 she was presented the Jefferson Award for Outstanding Public Service Benefiting Local Communities. and in the same year the "Haig Garaged Sarafian" Award of the Armenian Student Association of America for outstanding contributions in the field of citizenship. and the Armenian of the Year Award from the Armenian Masonic Degree Team of Rhode Island. And. just last fall.