NEW YORK — The Fund for Armenian Relief
(FAR) is pleased to announce the launch of the Margaret
Ajemian Ahnert Scholarship Program in Memory of Ester
Ajemian. This program will specifically support and
empower aspiring female journalists by providing the
opportunity to receive the education and training they
need. This scholarship, established in the memory of the
genocide survivor Ester Minerajian/Ajemian/by Ester’s
daughter Margaret Ajemian Ahnert, will help foster the
next generation of women who will lead the way in the
Armenian press.
The scholarship fund, administered by FAR, will provide
full tuition and monthly stipends to female graduate
students in Armenia who are pursuing careers in
journalism. Ms. Ahnert, herself a media specialist,
worked for years as a television producer and a teacher
before publishing her first book The Knock at the Door:
A Journey Through the Darkness of the Armenian Genocide,
which is based on her mother Ester
Ahronian-Minerajian-Ajemian’s memories of the 1915
genocide, its unprecedented horrors, and her escape.
After Ester Minerajian/Ajemian found refuge in the
United States, she strove to inform future generations
about the dark page in human history from which she
managed to survive. Her daughter was no exception, and
throughout her life Ester recounted her experiences to
her own child. Weaving Ester’s stories with her own
narrative, Margaret Ahnert published The Knock at the
Door in 2007 to widespread critical acclaim. It won the
Humanitarian Award and the 2008 New York Book Fair Award
for Best Historic Memoir. While recounting tragic
historic events, the book also reads like a fascinating
novel. The Knock at the Door is a powerfully emotive
tale of a young girl’s painful and unimaginable
experience. It has been translated into several
languages; FAR made it possible for the book to be
translated into Armenian earlier this year.
Ms. Ahnert traveled to Armenia in April. She presented
her award-winning book during a ceremony organized by
FAR at the Armenian Genocide Museum on the eve of the
95th anniversary of the genocide. Ms. Ahnert‘s book is a
sacred relic and a tool with which the story of this
tragedy can be passed along through generations, a
reminder to the world that such horrors took place and
should not be forgotten.
While in Armenia, Margaret had an opportunity to get
closely acquainted with FAR’s work. She was particularly
moved by FAR’s educational programs, which are aimed at
Armenia’s youth. She also visited the Gavar #1 Special
School, which provides education to 90 children with
mental and physical disabilities. She spent some time at
the FAR’s Homeless Children Center, which has been
operating for more than ten years and plays vital role
in the assistance of at-risk children. During her visit,
Ms. Ahnert donated modern computers to both institutions
that will be used for special educational programs for
these underprivileged children.
Margaret returned to the United States with the desire
to do more. Although Ester Minerajian/Ajemian had never
been fortunate enough to attend a university, she was a
self-educated woman who placed a high value on learning.
Strong and determined, she also believed that all
females deserved educational opportunity. This
scholarship program will bring that hope to fruition.
Such a scholarship also speaks to Ms. Ahnert‘s expertise
in the media and her value of the press and its integral
role in strengthening Armenia’s civil society. She
believes in professional journalists and in the
important role they play as the voice of Armenia’s
people. As creator of this fund, Margaret has followed
in her mother’s footsteps, carrying on her legacy in a
way that will not only empower Armenian women, but also
strengthen the Armenian press, and ultimately the nation
as a whole.
“My mother suffered many hardships in her life and
appeared in severe situations where there seemed to be
no solution. She survived and was inspired with power to
live by the hope and belief towards tomorrow’s day. I
will try to enhance this hope in the children of Armenia
within my possibilities,” Mrs. Ahnert said.
This is the first time FAR has had a scholarship program
geared toward Armenian women who are pursuing careers in
journalism and media. This program adds to FAR’s many
other successful scholarship programs, which enable
young Armenians to pursue training and education in the
fields of medicine, engineering, and music, among
others. It is a prime example of how FAR is working in
solidarity with members of the Diaspora to create
opportunity and strengthen the intellectual capital of
the Armenian people.
“Carving out educational opportunities for Armenia’s
youth is an integral part of FAR’s mission. Education
has always been prized in a small country like Armenia
as a key to maintaining cultural identity and heritage,”
said FAR’s Executive Director Garnik Nanagoulian. “We
are extremely happy with Ms. Ahnert‘s innovative and
visionary program, and look forward to working with her
to support the development of the new generation of
Armenia’s journalistic corps.”
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About FAR
Since its founding in response to the 1988 earthquake,
FAR has served hundreds of thousands of people through
more than 220 relief and development programs in Armenia
and Karabagh. It has channeled more than $285 million in
humanitarian assistance by implementing a wide range of
projects including emergency relief, construction,
education, medical aid, and economic development.
Fund for Armenian Relief
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Phone (212) 889-5150
press@farusa.org
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