Joan Agajanian Quinn with her recently awarded Ellis Island Medal of Honor
LOS ANGELES—The Los Angeles affiliate of the Armenian International Women’s Association will honor Joan Agajanian Quinn, the recipient of the 2017 Ellis Island Medal of Honor at a luncheon on Saturday, January 28, at the Mr. C Hotel (1224 Beverwil Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90035). The 11:30 a.m. event will be attended by special guest Dame Zandra Rhodes who has created a limited edition special print to celebrate the afternoon.
Quinn received this prestigious medal, along with studio executive Sherry Lansing, astronaut Buzz Aldrin, CNN’s Fareed Zakaria, and author Victoria Kennedy in May 2017 at a moving ceremony on Ellis Island in New York, in recognition of her enduring contributions to both the Armenian and American communities. The Ellis Island Honors Society sponsors the Ellis Island Medal of Honor, established in 1986, and presented annually to American citizens who have distinguished themselves within their own ethnic groups while exemplifying the values of the American way of life. Joan was nominated by the president of the Women’s Caucus for Art, J. Cheryl Bookout. Letters acknowledging community service were presented to The Ellis Island Society by Beverly Hills Mayor Lili Bosse, Ambassador. H.E. Grigor Hovhannissian, Hon. Lourdes G. Baird (Ret.), and Reverend Scott Colglazier.
Nicole Nishanian, President of AIWA-LA, states, “We are proud to honor Joan Agajanian Quinn who has had an illustrious career in both public and community service. She has served on the Executive Board of AIWA-LA since 1997 and has served with distinction as our NGO representative to the United Nations and as Board Liason. Joan and her late husband, attorney John J. Quinn have garnered praise for their support of artists for over 50 years.â€
