By: Kay Hirai
I met Aida Kouyoumjian at Studio 904.
As I was consulting with Aida about her hair style, she told me, “I need a good haircut and a style. Hair has so much to do with my self-esteem. I can produce more if I feel good about myself”. As I was designing Aida’s style, I started a conversation with her. Well, it took me all of three minutes of conversing with Aida to realize what a special woman she is. I liked her direct approach and the confidence she displayed as she told me about her active life of teaching at the Bellevue College, being a member of the Kiwanis Club and writing a book titled “Between the Two Rivers”, a story about Iraq.
Armenian in ethnicity, Arabic in education and American by choice.
Aida was born in Bagdad, Iraq to Armenian parents. After graduating from high school, Aida was granted a Fulbright Scholarship to come to America and study at the University of Washington for one year. Her family was thrilled as she was the first one to leave home and to travel abroad. “Coming to America was truly a dream come true!” Aida said as her eyes lit up recalling that time in her life.
When Aida arrived in Seattle, Washington in 1952, conditions were perfect. She had her room and board paid for at the Delta Zeta Sorority and her outgoing personality won her sixty girl friends instantly! Aida studied hard and excelled in school. At that time, a revolution in Iraq was brewing. Aida’s father wrote to her and said “Don’t come back, this is not a good time for the people of Iraq”. Even though she was to stay only for one year, Aida’s excellent grades helped her to renew her scholarship for the next four years.
Aida started to date the brother of her sorority sister and in 1956 she was married.
Aida gave birth to three sons. She became a teacher at the Mercer Island’s West Mercer Elementary school for six years while raising her family. Aida wanted to continue her learning and in 1985, she earned a Master’s Degree. She then went to work as an administrator in Issaquah School District for the next 18 years.
In 1997, Aida was sent to Armenia by the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) and she spent one year teaching English to the professors at the Academy of Agriculture. Looking back, this trip was definitely one of the highlights in her life.
After serving thirty years in the public education system, Aida retired in 1998.
What does Aida do now?
Aida is far from living a quiet and leisurely life of a retiree. She remains very active in serving the community. Aida wrote her own curriculum and is teaching a course titled, “ Remembering Iraq” in the Bellevue College’s continuing education program. She is an active member of the Kiwanis Club plus she is involved in numerous community organizations. Aida is a woman who believes in life-long learning and shows no sign of slowing down.
What is Aida’s Wish?
Aida is hoping to have her manuscript published by a good publisher. This would make her dream come true!
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