During National Women’s History Month, Jacksonville showcased its knowledge by hosting a group of women Asian leaders. The Beaches Rotary Clubs welcomed the Armenian Delegation, which included Karine Davtyan, the president, project manager, and lawyer for Women’s Rights House, and Anahit Badalyan, the founder and director of the Berd Women’s Resource Center Foundation. The delegation’s agenda included events like The Players Championship in Ponte Vedra Beach, as well as meetings with elected officials such as Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan, St. Augustine Mayor Nancy Sikes-Kline, Jacksonville Beach Mayor Christine Hoffman, and Neptune Beach Mayor Elaine Brown.
Badalyan explained that her organization was created to address women’s economic, healthcare, and mental health issues. Davtyan’s focus is on empowering women and addressing gender-based violence, domestic or sexual violence, and women’s leadership and political participation. Both women shared their reasons for joining the delegation and expressed their desire to learn from the American experience to bring new ideas back to their region.
Badalyan found it inspiring to meet with mayors and emphasized the power of women coming together. She highlighted the dedication and commitment of the mayors to their jobs and noted the support they received. This experience was an opportunity for the delegation to learn from American women leaders and exchange ideas that could benefit their communities.
Overall, the meeting between the Armenian Delegation and Jacksonville’s women leaders was a meaningful and informative exchange of ideas and experiences. As the world celebrates women’s achievements during Women’s History Month, these interactions help to further empowerment and collaboration among women from different backgrounds and regions.