Armenian Wonderwomen: Unveiling the Hidden Stories

Furthermore, Aghabalyan emphasized the significant contributions of researchers who delved into the lives of specific women featured in the book, illustrators, editors, and so many individuals whose efforts and support helped to turn this book into reality.

“And then, of course, we have the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation who supported the project financially,” Aghabalyan said. With the foundation’s support, they released the Eastern Armenian and Western Armenian versions of the book, created a teacher’s guide aimed at turning the book into an educational resource, launched armenianwonderwomen.com and did a small regional book tour in Armenia.

From Vision to Reality

Aghabalyan and Ayvazyan aimed to create a book that introduced readers to the lives and accomplishments of Armenian women. The team faced the challenge of condensing each story into a single page, which required careful selection of the most essential details. Initially intended for a younger audience, the project evolved as they realized the complexity of Armenian history and the need to address sensitive topics like genocide and exile. This led to a shift in the target audience to middle schoolers and older, enabling the inclusion of more in-depth information.

The process of selecting the women featured in the book was subjective but guided by certain principles, the co-author said. They aimed for diversity in terms of geography, time periods, and professions, emphasizing the breaking of stereotypes. They also recognized the importance of including contemporary women whose voices would bridge the past and present, inspiring readers with their stories of success and resilience.

Reflecting on the selection process, Aghabalyan emphasized, “We wanted to show that prominence is when you achieve your goals and determine your own goals. There is no one job that is more important than the other.”

By featuring women from diverse backgrounds and professions, Armenian Wonderwomen encourages readers to embrace their own aspirations and contributions, regardless of societal expectations. “We hope that our readers can reflect on how issues that were relevant two centuries ago are still relevant and what we can do to change that. We also want to show that there are many ways people can drive positive change. We are all different. We have different plans, goals, visions, dreams and purposes and these diverse paths are a testament to our ability to contribute to the larger goodness in our own ways,” she said.

Future Plans and International Distribution

While completing the Eastern and Western Armenian versions of the book and making it accessible within Armenia is a primary objective, the team also recognizes the importance of reaching a global audience. Aghabalyan reveals, “We aim to make these stories accessible worldwide, ensuring that the accomplishments of Armenian women resonate beyond our borders.”

To make the books available to Armenian communities worldwide, the team is exploring options for international distribution. They are open to collaboration with organizations and individuals interested in promoting Armenian history and culture.

In addition to publishing the book, the team has organized events, meetups, and discussions to engage with the public and foster a deeper understanding of the stories presented. These events provide an opportunity for dialogue, reflection, and celebration of Armenian women’s contributions throughout history.