A little over five years ago, I entered the Hairenik building in Watertown, Massachusetts, with an open and eager heart. It was my first day in the iconic building as the editor of The Armenian Weekly, and I felt like the young journalist straight out of college that I was more than 35 years earlier.
My first day was even more exciting and memorable than I had anticipated. October 29, 2019 was the day the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Armenian Genocide resolution, an outcome so many Armenian Americans had been awaiting following decades of advocacy. What an auspicious beginning to my time with a newspaper that has been a part of my life since I was a child.
There was not much time to reflect on the emotions of the day, as the news had to be disseminated in a timely manner. The rush of a newsroom filled my soul once again. Time to put out a paper!
As I drove home that evening, I had plenty of time to take stock of the day, and I was once again filled with humility and gratitude for the opportunity to serve my community in this role. So many before me have felt the weight of the responsibility and very eloquently expressed the emotions swirling around standing on the shoulders of the giants who paved the way.
And now it’s been five years since that fateful day — five years filled with celebration and despair, wonderful accomplishments and unimaginable tragedies, none of which need to be recounted again here. You know what they are as regular Weekly readers.
I re-joined the world of journalism with the goal of leaving a mark alongside the bold, sweeping strokes of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) founding editors and all who followed. This included ensuring that the newspaper continued its historical, dependable journalistic integrity, serving as a reliable news source. Additionally, uplifting the voices, hard work and accomplishments of our community and organizations and serving as a vessel for diversity informed our editorial mission. We have welcomed new columnists and contributors and encouraged young writers to report on events, share their experiences and offer reflections.
Groundbreaking investigative reports about Azerbaijan’s influence and education system, a daily news format during the 2020 Artsakh War, incredible genealogical discoveries, special reports from Artsakh, Armenia, Western Armenia, Jerusalem and South America — all of these added to the Weekly’s historical archives during the last five years. And I know there is much more to come, adding to the venerable legacy of this mighty community newspaper.
Now, it’s time for me to retire as editor of The Armenian Weekly. While preparing to type these words, I’ve reflected on what these five years have meant to me. Ultimately, however, this is not about me but about continuing a precious legacy that has been handed deliberately from editor to editor, team to team, to serve a community that relies on this newspaper to always serve it well, with dignity, honor and integrity.
It has been my distinct honor to join those who preceded me, and I continue the tradition by passing the torch to the next devoted and capable team, including incoming editor Lilly Torosyan, assistant editor Lillian Avedian, graphic designer Nanar Avedessian, staff writer in Armenia Hoory Minoyan and all the writers who contribute to The Armenian Weekly. I have cherished working with you all. And, of course, I will be reading.
Pauline Getzoyan
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Thank you for the countless hours you spent ensuring that we received the most current and accurate news from the 2020 war through the Artsakh Genocide. The strength it took to hold your own grief back while editing, writing and publishing the news is astounding and greatly appreciated.
Pauline:
We thank you a “bunch” for “making it better than when you found it”–as Mal Varadian would say.
We wish you and your family super health…a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year filled with all good stuff.
Special People Leave Big Shoes To Fill. Job Well Done Paulie.
Congratulations on a job well done. No one takes these types of jobs to get wealthy. But then again, it depends on how one defines wealth. This is the kind of job that requires 24-hour a day attention. So much has transpired over these past 5 years. This is still a top shelf operation. The news was always current, even if it wasn’t always good news.
Enjoy your retirement.
Job well done. Another saying from Unger Mal.
Sireli Ungerouhi Pauline,
Thank you so much for all that you have contributed to The Armenian Weekly! Wishing you endless success!
As many have correctly said, Pauline, your tenure was never
simply a job but rather a labor of love and service to our
beloved Armenian nation. Thank you for your service and wishing you only the best in your next chapter.
Job well done, Pauline. Thank you for printing my “Boregs, Biscuits and Me” first person, 4 part series in October of 2021. It encouraged me to complete a memoir of my 18 years in NC, “Confessions of an Adopted Tarheal.” Yes, Armenian woman can do anything. You rock!
Congrats, Pauline, on wrapping up an amazing five years at the Weekly! I know how tough and rewarding that role can be, and you handled it with so much heart and dedication. Hats off to you for everything you accomplished! I wish you all the best in whatever comes next–I’m sure it’ll be just as impactful.