Background
Kouyoumjian, Aida Mardiros was born on December 14, 1928 in Felloujah, Iraq. Came to the United States, 1952. Daughter of Mardiros Hagop and Mannig (Dobajian) Kouyoumjian.
(Between the Two Rivers was a true Cinderella of Mesopotam...)
Between the Two Rivers was a true Cinderella of Mesopotamia story. Young Mannig rose from starving Armenian orphan to the teenage bride of a wealthy philanthropist. Beyond the Two Rivers begins in Baghdad amid the political turmoil of 1958 and then flashes back to where the first book left off in 1922, when Mannig travels to the desert castle of her in-laws. As a young mother, Mannig moves from one isolated farming village outpost to another while her engineer husband makes the desert bloom. Mannig, Mardiros, and their three children eventually settle in Baghdad, where the tumult of World War II has soured relations between the various tribes who have shared these lands peacefully for centuries. Whether hobnobbing with royalty or escaping from angry Bedouin, Mannig retains her resilience and joie de vivre. This is an Iraq that no longer exists, except in our memories and imaginations.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1603811516/?tag=2022091-20
(Orphaned by the Armenian Genocide in 1915, Mannig and her...)
Orphaned by the Armenian Genocide in 1915, Mannig and her sister Adrine struggle to stay alive in what is now eastern Iraq. Mannig lives on the streets and trades camel dung for bread; her sister works as a servant for an Arab family. With the help of Barone Madiros, a wealthy philanthropist, Mannig and Adrine eventually find their way to an orphanage for surviving Armenian children. In this refuge, after years of hardship, the two sisters find compassion, joy, safety ... and love. Told by Mannig's daughter, Between the Two Rivers is a candid and moving account of a mother's triumph over adversity. This revised second edition includes a map and photographs.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1603811117/?tag=2022091-20
Secondary education educator translator writer
Kouyoumjian, Aida Mardiros was born on December 14, 1928 in Felloujah, Iraq. Came to the United States, 1952. Daughter of Mardiros Hagop and Mannig (Dobajian) Kouyoumjian.
Bachelor in Education, University Washington, 1956. Teacher Certified, University Washington, 1968. Master of Arts in Education, Seattle Pacific University, 1985.
Teacher, Mercer Island (Washington) School District, 1969-1975; coordinator English as Second Language program, Issaquah (Washington) School District, since 1978. Translator Social and Health Superior vena cava syndrome, Kent and Bellevue, Washington, since 1989, Turner Broadcasting System for Larry King during Goodwill Games, 1990. Adjunct faculty Seattle Pacific U., since 1990.
(Orphaned by the Armenian Genocide in 1915, Mannig and her...)
(Between the Two Rivers was a true Cinderella of Mesopotam...)
Chairman Armenian Women's Organization, Seattle, 1968-1970. President Armenian Cultural Association, Seattle, 1987-1989. Precinct committee woman Republican Party, Mercer Island, since 1990.
Vice president Eastside Republican Club, Washington. Member Washington Association English as Second Language Speakers, Washington Association Bilingual Education, Kiwanis.
Married William Cedric Shanafelt, April 27, 1956 (divorced 1970). Children: Armen Bruce Shanafelt, Aram Brian Shanafelt, Roger Haig Shanafelt.