Torontohye’s Call to Celebrate the Georgetown Girls

October 1, 2023

The following editorial was published in the September 2023 issue of Torontohye newspaper.

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“Looking Towards 2026: A Call to Celebrate the (Georgetown) Girls”

As we reflect on the centennial anniversary of the arrival of the Georgetown Boys in Canada, it’s essential to shed light on a lesser-known yet equally significant chapter — the story of the Georgetown Girls. History has often focused on the Boys’ journey. Still, it’s time to recognize the strength and resilience of the girls and women who survived the Armenian Genocide and started a new life in Canada.

The arrival of the Georgetown Boys served as a beacon of hope, showcasing Canada’s compassion and humanity. However, as we commemorate their journey, we must not forget that there were girls and women who also embarked on survival, hope, and transformation. Known as the Georgetown Girls, these 40 individuals had a journey parallel to the Boys.

While their tales have largely remained untold, often overshadowed by the Boys’ accounts, there are important sources and works that shed light on the Georgetown Girls’ journey and contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of their experiences. Notable among these sources is “Refugee Women as Domestics: A Documentary Account” by Isabel Kaprielian-Churchill, published in the journal Canadian Woman Studies (Vol. 10, No. 1).

Additionally, Mansoor Tanwee’s “Georgetown Girls: A Mystery in History,” published in Halton Hills Today earlier this year, and George Aghjayan’s “The Georgetown Girls: Reconstructing a Family History,” featured in The Armenian Weekly April 2013 Magazine, offer a personal and heartfelt account.

The Georgetown Girls, ranging from five to 38 years old, arrived in Canada between 1926 and 1930, just a few years after the boys. Tracing their stories has been difficult due to the lack of historical documentation, but their presence and contributions to the Georgetown community were undeniable. The Girls carried the scars of their past but also the hope for a brighter future. Some were sisters or mothers of the boys who had arrived before them, and some married the boys after arriving, highlighting the connections that bound this community together. Yet, despite their significant role, the Girls’ stories have often been relegated. It’s time to rectify this oversight and ensure that their journeys are celebrated.

As we commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Georgetown Boys’ arrival, let’s look forward to another milestone—the centennial of the Georgetown Girls’ arrival in 2026. This upcoming anniversary presents an opportunity to correct the historical imbalance, unearth hidden stories, and pay tribute to the resilience and strength of these women.

We call upon historians, researchers, community organizations, and community members to join forces in uncovering the stories of the Georgetown Girls. By amplifying their voices and experiences, we can provide a more comprehensive narrative of the Armenian Genocide’s aftermath and its impact on the lives of survivors. Just as the Boys’ stories have touched our hearts, the Girls’ stories deserve to be heard, acknowledged, and remembered.