Dear Ani: The New York State Nurses Association is so proud of your work on behalf of Nursing and human rights. You so nicely deserve ANA’s Honorary Human Rights Award for your contributions. NYSNA, the Board of Directors and members congratulate you! Sincerely, Ms K G. Balled, MA, RN, FAAN, President of NYSNA
I would promote the workshop as a way to connect our painful past to a hopeful future. It is a forum where participants can openly express their emotions and their reactions to their traumas. Underneath all layers of feelings, this workshop will help attendees discover diamonds in the rust. Workshop goers will leave with a broader perspective of their ancestry and of themselves.
This workshop shouted from the roof-tops that we can transcend the denials and transform our lives on our own terms. The workshop was an experience of empowerment. The workshop leaders were excellent and worked well as a team. I look forward to attending the next workshop! Thanks so much.
The workshop allowed me to discuss many of the emotions that go unsaid among many people in a comfortable and open setting. I was surprised by how many others had the same thoughts and experienced the same tensions in being an American today. The connection to their experiences allowed me to discuss and debate issues critical to us without the anxiety normally associated with these topics
I did not know what to expect and was a little apprehensive since I did not want to express myself at first. The round table setting and informal atmosphere helped peel the deep layers of sadness and mourning I carried in my heart.
“When I first signed up for the workshop, I wasn’t sure what I would gain, if anything at all. I asked myself if it was even that important to me. I was sincerely surprised after a couple of hours in the workshop after hearing from others older and younger than me, and similar and different than me. I was able to share feelings that I didn’t even know I had, and in the process, both negative and positive feelings emerged about my experiences as woman, my liberties, and my individualism. To put it more succinctly, and rather bluntly, I received a great therapy session for only $95!”
Dr. Ani Kalayjian, thank you so much Dr. Ani for all you have done for the people of the world, especially those who have faced emotional challenges. Thank you for founding ATOP Meaningful World and thank you for being so generous in helping my graduate students and myself. You inspired us and we are forever grateful for all you have given us. You deserve the Highest Medal of Honor. Dr. Debbie Stiles
Dr. Ani Kalayjian has dedicated her life to the betterment of humanity! She contributes to this most vital and remarkable task by her knowledge, experience and multitude of deeds, which includes lectures, podcasts and most of all traveling around the globe with the heartfelt purpose of alleviating anguish, poverty and injustice!💖🙏 I feel so privileged to know and have her in my life!💖🌻🙏💖🎶
Thanks you for the incredible guidance, mentorship, encouragement, generosity, and kindness you have shared over the past two years. I feel so blessed and grateful that our paths have crossed and will treasure all of the many lessons you have shared. I admire your courage, passion, and commitment to creating peace, both locally and globally. Thank you for all that you do as a teacher, mentor, peace builder, healer, and a true friend. Looking forward to a healthier and more peaceful furture foro the next 7 generations! Much love, Leysa Cerswell, Canada
Dear Dr. Ani, I saw your post about your mom just now, and I felt so deeply for you. One class with you Dr Ani at Columbia has forever changed me and stayed with me. It has helped me think differently, more deeply, to be present and to seek and give meaning. I could not possibly advise you, but I know how powerful your love and kindness are. Powerful enough to create peace. Dementia is a wild and meaningless thing that destroys our hearts and minds, but nevertheless love still finds moments to prevail and soothe the soul. Yours and hers. You are a force of love. I am thinking of you and your mom.