The Avanti Woman is a new organization founded by Nairy Ghazourian, dedicated to empowering women to move forward personally and professionally through networking, mentoring, and learning. It provides a platform to help connect, empower, and build women to achieve their goals within the areas of healthcare, finance, entrepreneurship, and philanthropy.
Ghazourian came across a woman named Susan’s GoFundMe campaign describing her need for essential medical equipment.
“When I was six years old, I was hit by a car, breaking many bones in my body,” said Susan. “Around the time I was a young adult, I had a stroke. This affected the right (normal functioning) side of my brain, which caused weakness in the left side of my body. I could no longer stand with strength and confidence, as falling became routine. Since 2002 I have relied on a walker, and I now totally dependent on the use of a power chair…Recently my easy chair recliner broke and my bed is too difficult to get in and out of. So, I have been sleeping in my wheelchair for the last couple of weeks.”
Susan is a client of The Adult Skills Center (TASC) a local nonprofit working with adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. TASC offers well-trained instructors to assist Susan with cooking, cleaning, medical appointments, hygiene, and other essential everyday needs.
TASC staff member, Robert Zazula helped arrange a meeting with Ghazourian and Susan.
Ghazourian was touched by her story and immediately launched a GoFundMe campaign. Within 10 days, women from across the country came together and raised the amount needed to purchase Susan’s electric bed and recliner lift chair.
In celebration of this successful project, there will be a photo taken with Ghazourian, Susan, and donors to The Avanti Woman project at the TASC offices in Lake Balboa.
Assemblymember Adrin Nazarian will also be present to show his support of The Avanti Woman, TASC, and individuals with developmental disabilities and to congratulate Susan for her new equipment.
“The world needs more strong women who are building each other up instead of tearing each other down,” said Ghazourian. “The Avanti Woman aims to build a community of strong women who will thrive on each other’s success, support each other, work as a team, and be destined for nothing but greatness.”