Peter and Irene Vosbikian to Receive Global Humanitarian Award at Armenian Assembly’s Philadelphia Celebration

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Date: April 5, 2018

Contact: Danielle Saroyan

Telephone: (202) 393-3434

Web: www.aaainc.org

 

PETER AND IRENE VOSBIKIAN
TO RECEIVE GLOBAL HUMANITARIAN AWARD AT ARMENIAN ASSEMBLY’S PHILADELPHIA
CELEBRATION

 

WASHINGTON,
D.C. – The Armenian Assembly of America (Assembly) will be honoring Life
Trustees Peter and Irene Vosbikian with the Global Humanitarian Award at the Philadelphia
Celebration on Saturday, April 28 at the National Constitution Center.

 

Mr. and Mrs. Vosbikian are longtime members of the
Assembly, and continue to be leading figures in advocacy and philanthropy. Mr.
Vosbikian was on the Board of Directors from 2000-2006, and served as Chairman
in 2002 and 2003. He also served on the Board of Trustees and the Executive
Committee from 2007 through 2009. During his Chairmanship, Mr. Vosbikian
encouraged more delegations of public policy makers, and trustees and member mission
trips to visit Armenia and Artsakh, especially for young Armenian Americans.

 

They have contributed to many different program
areas, especially the Terjenian-Thomas Assembly Internship Program. Mr. and
Mrs. Vosbikian have previously hosted interns in their summer home in New
Jersey and encouraged students to participate in the internship programs the
Assembly offers in Washington, D.C. and Yerevan, Armenia.

 

“Peter and Irene represent the very best of our
values and ideals. Their passion for Armenian issues knows no bounds, and their
steadfast commitment to the Assembly over the decades is truly remarkable,”
Armenian Assembly Executive Director Bryan Ardouny said. “The Philadelphia
Celebration will not only honor the Vosbikians, but is also an opportunity for Young
Professionals, Assembly intern alumni, and our friends in the community to
connect with one another and enjoy a fun-filled evening,” he added.

 

Additionally, Peter and Irene are major donors to
the Armenian Sisters Academy in Radnor, PA and the Armenian Prelacy.  Peter and Irene support many other causes,
most importantly The Franklin Institute in Philadelphia, PA, and St. Jude
Children’s Hospital in Memphis, TN.

 

Both Peter and Irene were born in Philadelphia and grew
up in nearby neighborhoods in Pennsylvania. It wasn’t until college, at Temple
University in Philadelphia, where Peter and Irene first met. On November 8,
1964 Peter and Irene were married and had four children – Paul, David, Terry,
and Mary.

 

At the very same time, the Armenian Sisters of the
Immaculate Conception arrived in Philadelphia to open a new Armenian
school.  Prior to the opening of the
school, Irene visited the Sisters every week in order to learn the Armenian
language. Having mastered Latin in High School, Irene learned very quickly and
within two years she was able to read, write, and speak Armenian. She did this
primarily to converse with Peter’s parents.

 

Irene was fascinated by the hardships endured by
Peter’s parents. She spent countless hours with Peter’s father listening to the
nightmare he experienced in Turkey prior to escaping the Armenian Genocide.
This resulted in Irene’s first novel, titled Bedros, which was originally published in 1983 then re-published in
2013. In 2015, Irene read passages from her book during one of the Assembly’s annual
Members Meeting in Boca Raton, Florida. She signed copies for guests who
purchased the book, with all proceeds benefitting the Armenian Assembly.

 

Not long after, Irene authored the book The Carnation Tablet, based on the life
of her father Rudolph and his tragic death in 1944. The Carnation Tablet was actually the diary that her father kept
during the War.  He made entries into
this diary several times a week up until the time of his death.

 

Peter joined the family business after graduating
college in 1963. Quickie Manufacturing Corporation was in the business of
manufacturing and marketing household cleaning tools. He became Chairman and
President of the Company in 1971.  When
Peter retired in 2004, Company market share had grown to the number one
position in the U.S.

 

Today, Peter & Irene reside in Moorestown, NJ
surrounded by their four children, their respective spouses, and eleven
grandchildren.

 

If you are
interested in becoming a sponsor for the evening, contact Assembly Development
Director Nazanee Topian at (202) 393-3434 ext. 345 or [email protected]. Please
RSVP by Friday, April 16, 2018.

 

To learn more about the Philadelphia Celebration,
please visit www.aimhye.com or the Armenian Assembly of America Facebook Page.

 

Established in 1972, the Armenian Assembly of
America is the largest Washington-based nationwide organization promoting
public understanding and awareness of Armenian issues. The Assembly is a
non-partisan, 501(c)(3) tax-exempt membership organization.

 

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NR#
2018-012

 

Photo Caption 1: Irene Vosbikian, Armenian Caucus Co-Chair
Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), and Peter Vosbikian