Bedrosian Gets Top Judicial Post in Rhode Island

PROVIDENCE, R.I.—She’s not Judge Judy or any other television personality looking to establish law and order in the court. Haiganush Bedrosian looks to establish her own niche as chief judge of the Rhode Island Family Court. She was appointed to the post by Governor J. Joseph Carcieri, establishing a bit of history of her own. Bedrosian not only becomes the first Armenian to receive such an appointment, but the first woman as well. In her new role, Bedrosian will handle an array of deeply personal issues from divorce to adoption to the termination of parental rights and domestic abuse. The state’s growing emphasis on leaving troubled or at-risk children in their homes instead of placing them in residential programs is a big concern with the judge. She also plans to consult with the Bar Association, judiciary and other statewide organizations about what improvements are needed in the court system. “One of my first priorities is to create a mediation program for contested divorces,” she pointed out. “That will be my biggest move.” Armenians throughout the Narragansett State celebrated the move with many attending the ceremony in Warwick, where she was joined by Armenian Mayor Scott Avedisian. During the induction ceremony, Bedrosian promised to carry out new reforms to bring greater efficiency to the court system. She recited some of Robert Frost’s poetry and also quoted her parents, both Armenian immigrants. Both her father and mother found refuge in Rhode Island after fleeing their homeland to escape the “terrors of the times,” a reference to the genocide and persecution of Armenians in 1915. “Follow your dreams,” she told the gathering. “This is America where all things are possible. My parents always believed in this.” Bedrosian is a home-grown Cranston girl with strong Armenian roots, having grown up in the Providence AYF and active with the St. Vartanantz Church community. Only days before, she had committed to making food for a church bazaar. All the pastor (Rev. Gomidas Baghsarian) could see was a judge washing pots and pans in his church kitchen. He joined in the ceremony, along with other Armenians. Had you been there, you may have thought the formalities took place in an Armenian church instead of a municipal building. “Her calm approach has been invaluable to her contribution as an associate justice for many years and will serve her well in leading the Family Court,” said Carcieri. The governor credited Bedrosian as being instrumental in creating statewide standards for Guardian Ad Litem in Family Court cases. As for Bedrosian, she was thrilled by the nod, claiming it was a dream come true—not something you necessarily plan for. Just prior to that, Beverly Najarian was named director of administration for the State of Rhode Island, the first female to ever assume that role. “I know there can be great changes,” Bedrosian said. “Everything we do will be done with a great deal of measured thinking.” House speaker Gordon D. Fox characterized Bedrosian as a sweet Armenian woman who does her job with “a grace and steely determination in getting to the facts.” Others like Anahid Varadian recalled how her late husband Haig had persuaded Bedrosian to enroll at Brown University while he served as an assistant guidance director, and she was a student at Cranston High East. She later served as a law clerk to the late Supreme Court Justice Thomas J. Paolino. “You would not believe her curriculum vitae, which is 12 pages long,” said Varadian. “Several Armenians were among the 500 who turned out to applaud Bedrosian at her swearing-in ceremony in Warwick. Only a few days before, she had given Mayor Avedisian his oath of office for a seventh term. Armenians are well-liked in Rhode Island.” Included in the crowd were a large group of friends, family, professional colleagues, and state officials. The 67-year-old Bedrosian replaces Jeremiah S. Jeremiah Jr., who retired after 23 years. Jeremiah had beat out Bedrosian for the top spot in the mid-1980’s when few women were in the field. Bedrosian comes by her first name quite naturally. Haiganush, translated literally, means “sweet woman.” As chief judge, you can call her “honorable.” Before taking the bench, Bedrosian worked in private practice, specializing in family law after a stint as assistant general counsel to the Providence & Worcester Railroad Company. She also worked as a prosecutor in the early 1970’s after earning a law degree from Suffolk University in Boston. Bedrosian founded the Rhode Island Trial Judges Association and served as its president for several years. She lost the “love of her life” five years ago with the death of her husband Vincent Izzo. Bedrosian has a stepson and daughter-in-law, two grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.