WASHINGTON–To commemorate Women’s History Month–Congressman Adam B. Schiff today announced that he has named Dr. Rita Vorperian as Glendale Woman of the Year for the 27th District. Vorperian will be honored at a Women of the Year luncheon hosted by Congressman Schiff on Wednesday–March 27.
"Through her work with the Armenian Relief Society–Rita has fought hard to bring both humanitarian and economic relief to the peopleof Armenia and its government who are currently suffering through troubling economic times," said Congressman Schiff. "She has helped establish a vital and enriched Armenian community in the 27th Congressional District and she continues to work for cultural understanding and acceptance of the Armenian people in America."
A resident of Glendale–Vorperian is the Senior Administrator and Executive Secretary of the Armenian Relief Society of Western USA Regional Executive. A native of Aleppo–Syria–Vorperian is a graduate of the Karen Yeppe Armenian High School of Aleppo. She attended St. Joseph University in Beirut and graduated with a three-year course in higher Armenological studies. On her arrival in the United States–she enrolled at the University of California–Los Angeles where she attained her Bachelor of Arts degree in Near Eastern Studies–her Master’s Degree in Near Eastern Languages and Cultures–and her Ph.D. in Armenian literature and criticism.
She has been active in the field of journalism–making submissions to Aztag Daily of Beirut–Asbarez of Los Angeles–and Hairenik of Boston. She has also contributed essays and short stories to the literary magazine Pakine of Beirut.
Her mastery of seven languages including Armenian–Arabic–French–English–Turkish–Spanish and Russian–has helped her in her role as an advocate for the people of Armenia around the world in serving their humanitarian needs as well as helping to preserve the cultural heritage and identity of the Armenian people.