JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – In the middle of National Women’s History Month, Jacksonville showed its acumen on the topic by hosting a group of women Asian leaders. Two members of the Armenian Delegation joined Kent Justice for this week’s episode of This Week in Jacksonville: Business Edition.
The Beaches Rotary Clubs hosted the delegation. Their agenda included events and like The Players Championship in Ponte Vedra Beach, but the group spoke with women who are elected officials like Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan, St. Augustine Mayor Nancy Sikes-Kline, Jacksonville Beach Mayor Christine Hoffman and Neptune Beach Mayor Elaine Brown.
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Karine Davtyan, who is president, project manager and lawyer for Women’s Rights House, and Anahit Badalyan, founder and director of the Berd Women’s Resource Center Foundation joined the conversation.
Badalyan said she developed her organization because of women facing economic, healthcare, and mental health issues.
“So by the time I was the editor of a women’s newspaper called ‘We Are’,” Badalyan said. “I had this idea to create an organization, nonprofit and non-governmental tackling the women’s issue. So that’s why this organization was.”
Davtyan’s work focuses on empowering women as well. Women’s Rights House touches on topics such as gender-based violence, and domestic or sexual violence, in addition to women’s leadership and political participation.
“That is why I wanted to be here,” Davtyan said. “To learn more about the American experience, about American leaders, women leaders, especially, and to take with me something maybe new and new ideas to my region and which will be beneficial for my community.”
Badalyan said it was an inspiring experience to meet with mayors.
“Considering their experience, considering their commitment to their job, it’s just amazing to see how they are working and how they are supported because as I always love to say, women are power when they are together,” she said.