Louise Manoogian Simone
Encyclopedia
Louise Manoogian Simone is an Armenian American philanthropist. She was president of the Armenian General Benevolent Union
(AGBU) from 1989 to 2002.
Louise Manoogian was born in Detroit. Her father Alex Manoogian
, an immigrant from Smyrna
, founded Masco
in 1929 and became wealthy after developing the one-handed faucet in the 1950s. Alex Manoogian was fifth president of the AGBU and a philanthropist for Detroit civic causes and Armenian political and cultural causes.
Louise Manoogian married Arman Simone and lives in Manhattan
. She was on the AGBU's central council for eight years before succeeding her father as its president. She organized AGBU disaster relief after the 1988 Spitak earthquake. In 1962 her parents established the Louise Manoogian Simone Foundation, which was later renamed the Manoogian Simone Foundation. In 2007 it donated $1.2m to the University of Michigan
's Armenian Studies program. In 1979 Simone served a term on the Council of the Eastern U.S. Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church
, the first woman in such a senior position. Simone and her brother Richard Manoogian contributed $2m in 2000 towards the construction of Saint Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral, Yerevan
.
Simone has a daughter and two sons, David and Mark.
Armenian General Benevolent Union
The Armenian General Benevolent Union abbreviated as AGBU, is a non-profit Armenian organization. It was established in Cairo, Egypt in 1906...
(AGBU) from 1989 to 2002.
Louise Manoogian was born in Detroit. Her father Alex Manoogian
Alex Manoogian
Alexander "Alex" Manoogian was an Armenian-American industrial engineer, businessman, entrepreneur and philanthropist who had most of his career in Detroit, Michigan. He and his wife Marie donated their home to the city, which uses the Manoogian Mansion as the mayoral residence...
, an immigrant from Smyrna
Smyrna
Smyrna was an ancient city located at a central and strategic point on the Aegean coast of Anatolia. Thanks to its advantageous port conditions, its ease of defence and its good inland connections, Smyrna rose to prominence. The ancient city is located at two sites within modern İzmir, Turkey...
, founded Masco
Masco
-Plumbing products:-Decorative architectural products:North America* Behr Process Corporation* Franklin Brass Mfg. Corp. * Ginger* Liberty Hardware* Masterchem Industries LLC* Melard Manufacturing Corp....
in 1929 and became wealthy after developing the one-handed faucet in the 1950s. Alex Manoogian was fifth president of the AGBU and a philanthropist for Detroit civic causes and Armenian political and cultural causes.
Louise Manoogian married Arman Simone and lives in Manhattan
Manhattan
Manhattan is the oldest and the most densely populated of the five boroughs of New York City. Located primarily on the island of Manhattan at the mouth of the Hudson River, the boundaries of the borough are identical to those of New York County, an original county of the state of New York...
. She was on the AGBU's central council for eight years before succeeding her father as its president. She organized AGBU disaster relief after the 1988 Spitak earthquake. In 1962 her parents established the Louise Manoogian Simone Foundation, which was later renamed the Manoogian Simone Foundation. In 2007 it donated $1.2m to the University of Michigan
University of Michigan
The University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan...
's Armenian Studies program. In 1979 Simone served a term on the Council of the Eastern U.S. Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church
Armenian Apostolic Church
The Armenian Apostolic Church is the world's oldest National Church, is part of Oriental Orthodoxy, and is one of the most ancient Christian communities. Armenia was the first country to adopt Christianity as its official religion in 301 AD, in establishing this church...
, the first woman in such a senior position. Simone and her brother Richard Manoogian contributed $2m in 2000 towards the construction of Saint Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral, Yerevan
Saint Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral, Yerevan
Saint Gregory the Ilumminator Cathedral is the largest Armenian church in the world and is located in the Kentron District of Yerevan in Armenia. It is adjacent to the Zoravar Andranik metro station...
.
Simone has a daughter and two sons, David and Mark.