HAVERHILL, Mass. — On October 22nd, 2022, a celebration ceremony occurred in Haverhill, Massachusetts, as The Daughters of Vartan Grand Council instituted a new chapter, Tzouig #33, with 17 new members. The institution and initiation of those 17 Sisters and the installation of the Tzouig Chapter were presided over by Grand Chairwoman Gloria Korkoian. The ceremonies also involved the Grand Council with the assistance of Past Grand Chairwoman Yvonne Korkoian, New England Grand District Representative Yn. Patricia Buttero, Past Chairwoman Debbie Megrdichian, Aik Chapter #10, Providence, and Secretary Catherine Minassian, Arpie Chapter # 9, Boston. Attendees included the Sisters of Arpie Chapter #9, Aik Chapter #10, Santoukht Chapter #5, and the Brothers of Arakadz Lodge #35 and Ararat Lodge #1.
The new Chapter’s Chairwoman is Susan Hazarvartian, who became a member of the Daughters of Vartan during the Grand Convocation in July 2022. She is the wife of Commander Kim Eric Hazarvartian of the Knights of Vartan Arakadz Lodge #35. Her great-great-uncle, Bishop Papken Guleserian, helped found the Knights of Vartan in 1916.
Hazarvartian expressed: “Finally, we have a chapter in this growing Armenian community, where we can build a sisterhood, carry on what our past generations started, and stand by our Armenian men to continue our cultural mission.”
The new Chapter, located in North Andover, MA, will be involved in the Daughters of Vartan programs and projects on a local, national and international level. In addition, they will identify programs to support a wide range of Armenian projects, events, and charitable causes in their area. But most of all, it is about people, a sisterhood.
The Grand Council traveled from Detroit, Michigan, joining other leadership members from New England to participate in and witness the Institution-Initiation-Installation of Tzouig Chapter #33. The Institution team was: Grand Chairwoman Gloria Korkoian, Past Grand Chairwoman Yvonne Korkoian, Grand Chaplin Nancy Kalajian Berschbach, Grand Secretary Laura Negosian Lucassian, NE Grand District Representative Yn. Patricia Buttero, Grand Mistress of Ceremony Leslie Balian Bush and Grand Sentinel Joyce Karageozian Obenhoff.
The Executive Board of Tzouig Chapter consists of the following: Chairwoman Susan M. Hazarvartian Vice Chairwoman Reinya Rita Kitabjian, Secretary Naro Khandjian, Treasurer Beverly Chorbajian, Chaplin Araxie Kitabjian/Brenda Tavitian
