In 1990, three dynamic women from Boston, Massachusetts, from diverse backgrounds, skills and experiences, shared a common belief: the need for a new Armenian organization made up of women, governed by women, and focused on the interests and needs of women. It was against this background that in 1991, Eva Medzorian, Barbara Merguerian and Olga Proudian came together to formally organize the Armenian International Women’s Association (“AIWA”), a nonprofit organization with members worldwide. Without alignment to any political or religious group, since its inception, AIWA has been successful in bringing together creative women of various generations, diverse in interests and academic backgrounds, to fulfill its mission.

After 27 years remaining the only independent Armenian international organization to be served by and for women, the Armenian International Women’s Association made the decision in 2017 to re-evaluate its strategy and positioning for supporting the personal and professional advancement of Armenian women around the world. The question wasn’t just how best to serve but how best to serve as many as possible. If AIWA wanted to better serve its mission it needed to consider its relevance and its impact; the growth and sustainability of the organization depends upon knowing the difference it is making for the future of all women. The discovery process began with several fundamental questions: How have needs changed for women and girls since 1991? How has technology changed the way we connect and interact as women? How has the composition of our communities changed and what does it tell us about women’s needs? In a post-revolution Armenia, what are the opportunities for strengthening the relationship between women of Armenia and of the Diaspora?

The road map for the organization continues to unfold and includes several phases from visioning and discovery to strategy and execution. While AIWA has inevitably been thrust into a “start-up phase” in its growth, the Mission and Goals established when the organization was founded in 1991 remain significant and fundamental to its future.

As AIWA moves from discovery to planning, it has developed 6 initial strategic focus areas to drive its programming for the next two years. Each of these areas will establish goals and be structured to continuously adapt to changing needs in various communities, in Armenia and the Diaspora.