Rita Vorperian

Rita Vorperian (Armenian: Ռիթա Որբերեան) is a journalist, writer, translator, and researcher. She has served as teaching fellow and lecturer in Western Armenian at UCLA. She was the former executive director of the Armenian Relief Society in the Western United States from 1998 to 2005 and is currently the senior administrator.

Life and works Of Armenian descent, Rita Vorperian was born in Aleppo, Syria and graduated from the local Karen Yeppe Armenian High School.

She has been an active journalist and has submitted to many Armenian newspapers such as Aztag (daily) in Beirut, Azat Or in Greece, Asbarez in Los Angeles, Artsakank in Cyprus, and Hairenik in Watertown, Massachusetts. She has also contributed to Pakine in Beirut with literary works.

She was one of the moderators for the University of California, Los Angeles World Conference in Contemporary Armenian Literature on April 7–8, 2011.

She speaks seven languages including Armenian, French, Arabic, Turkish, English, Spanish and Russian.

She is also one of the founding members of the Western United States branch of the Armenian Hamazkayin Cultural Organization.

Recognition On March 25, 2011, she was awarded the Mesrob Mashtots Medal, the highest award for culture in Armenia, from the Archbishop of the Western Prelate of the Armenian church on behalf of Aram I, Catholicos of the Holy See of Cilicia for her literary accomplishments and dedication to the Armenian community.

On March 20, 2002 during the second session of the 107th Congress of the House of Representatives, Representative Adam Schiff awarded Rita Vorperian with the Woman of the Year award of the 27th Congressional district for her accomplishments as a humanitarian and advocate for women's rights.

Business Life magazine named her a "Woman of Achievement".