A delegation of Armenian women is visiting the First Coast this week to study women leaders and gender equality.
Sponsored by the Congressional Office for International Leadership’s Open World Program, the five-member delegation is visiting the Jacksonville area March 15-23, accompanied by a facilitator and an interpreter. During their visit, the delegation is being hosted by the Rotary Clubs of Ponte Vedra Beach, Palm Valley and Jacksonville-Oceanside, with delegates staying in Rotarians’ homes and participating in a week of meetings and social and cultural events that spotlight the First Coast.
“For the first time ever, the mayors of Jacksonville, St. Augustine, Jacksonville Beach and Neptune Beach are all women,” noted Jennifer Logue, president of the Rotary Club of Ponte Vedra Beach. “We also have numerous women in other city, county and legislative leadership roles. We are excited to welcome the Armenian delegation and to connect them with American women leaders.”
During the delegation’s visit, the group will meet with Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan, St. Augustine Mayor Nancy Sikes-Kline, Jacksonville Beach Mayor Christine Hoffman and Neptune Beach Mayor Elaine Brown. Delegates will also attend city council and county commission meetings, meet with women business and nonprofit leaders and enjoy outings to the beach and more.
Prior to their arrival in Jacksonville, the delegates completed an orientation in Washington, D.C., and meet with legislative aides to U.S. Rep. John Rutherford.
More than 30,000 current and future leaders from post-Soviet-era countries have participated in the Open World program, which offers international exchange programs that promote mutually beneficial options for engagement between future national leaders.
“As an international organization comprised of more than 1.4 million volunteers around the world, Rotary is a perfect partner for the Open World program,” Logue said. “Rotary connects the world, and our members are looking forward to fostering a connection with the delegates from Armenia.”
