On March 24, the U.S. Embassy hosted a concert in celebration of Women’s History Month. The U.S. Embassy’s guests for this concert were 2010 and 2011 participants of the U.S. Embassy-initiated Women’s Mentoring Program. The featured performer was the all women JAZZEL vocal ensemble. U.S. Deputy Chief of Mission, Bruce Donahue, welcomed the guests and spoke briefly about the central role of women’s issues in U.S. foreign policy. He stressed that all of society benefits when women fully participate in the social and political lives of their countries. Women's History Month is celebrated in March to recognize the contributions women have made to building the American nation. President Obama proclaimed, “As we honor the women who have shaped our Nation, we must remember that we are tasked with writing the next chapter of women's history. Only if we teach our daughters that no obstacle is too great for them, that no ceiling can block their ascent, will we inspire them to reach for their highest aspirations and achieve true equality.” In 2010 the U.S. Embassy launched the Women’s Mentoring Program in partnership with the American University of Armenia (AUA). In the United States, mentoring is a widely used practice through which people who have achieved professional or personal success mentor the next generation of young leaders. Mentors provide career advice, share their personal experiences, and serve as role models to promising young students. In 2010, forty-five (45) Armenian women from a variety of professional fields mentored 45 women graduate students at AUA. This year, 61 women are mentoring 61 graduate students.

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