Annie Simonian Totah

A graduate of the American University of Beirut, with a Master’s Degree in Business Administration, Annie Simonian Totah’s life as a community leader and activist has been a “journey of dedication.”

For more than forty-five years, Annie has been a leading defender of human rights, a vocal advocate of Armenian issues; an effective fundraiser in local & national politics, as well as a staunch supporter of cultural, charitable, religious, and education programs in the DMV area.

Since the demise of the Soviet Union in the early 1990’s, Annie was at the forefront of encouraging congressional efforts that helped raised more than $3 billion in foreign aid for the Republic of Armenia. Her contributions with the Armenian Assembly have included enactment of several pieces of legislations, the launching of numerous Annual Tribute Galas, and Missions to Armenia that have raised awareness, understanding, and funds both inside and outside the Armenian community. Annie mobilized relief efforts for the homeless Armenian earthquake victims, and collaborated with the Marshall Legacy Institute to help raise $100,000 for the “Mine Detection Dog-Partnership” program in Armenia. She is affiliated with the U.S. Armenia Task Force for Economic Cooperation, working to promote the economic development for the Republic of Armenia.

At the same time, with the encouragement of her late husband Sami Totah, Annie has spearheaded countless Jewish initiatives, from conceiving the design and overseeing the construction of the only Moorish-style, Sephardic synagogue in the Nation’s Capital, to raising $6.5 million in Israeli Bond sales in a single event hailed as “Oscar Night” in Washington, D.C. She also conceived and executed a tribute gala for “Women of the Middle East Peace Legacy” honoring Mrs. Leah Rabin of Israel, Mrs. Anwar Sadat of Egypt, and Her Majesty Empress Farah Pahlavi of Iran, with special guests Barbara Walters and Mike Wallace. The event raised $5 million for Save a Child’s Heart Foundation and $.25 million for the Tel Aviv University’s Center for Tolerance and Understanding, and was taped and televised by C-Span nationwide.

Annie serves on too many Boards to enumerate. Renowned for her visionary talent in creative fundraising efforts, she is called “Chairman Extraordinaire”. She has initiated and chaired several major fundraisers in her own home and at other venues for charitable organizations like CARE, Washington Ballet, Heifetz Music Institute, Strathmore Music Center, Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, Marshall Legacy Collection, Young Concert Artists, City Dance, MedStar Hospital Gala and more. Annie’s fame and success has not been only in her charitable giving, but in her ability to conceive and produce spectacular and unique events for dozens and dozens of charitable causes. She donates, networks, elevates the cause of the organization, and raises hundreds of thousands of dollars, if not millions She has raised for Washington Performing Arts about $1 million, Best Buddies with Anthony Kennedy Shriver $1.25 million, Susan G. Komen Honoring the Promise Gala $2 million, John Hopkins Sibley Hospital Gala $2.5 million, Israel Bonds Ambassadors’ Gala $6.5 million in bonds sales, and the list goes on.

When Annie chaired the Spring Gala of the National Museum of Women in the Arts it was hailed as one of the most spectacular events in the Metro Area by attendees and known as Annie Torah’s show” by the Washington Post.

Mrs. Totah is a breast cancer survivor and a supporter of Sibley Hospital. And through the Totahs’ generosity of $1 million, the Hospital has dedicated the Executive Wing in the name of Sami & Annie Totah Family Foundation. She is also a major donor and supporter of the political causes, Annie has hosted in her beautiful home several fundraisers for Democratic candidates from County Council levels to many Presidential candidates, and has raised significant funds while serving on Hillary Clinton’s Presidential Campaign.

Mrs. Totah is a recipient of many honors and awards, including:

• The Ellis Island Medal of Honor.

• Shining Star Award from Johns Hopkins Sibley Memorial Hospital.

• Certificate of Appreciation for Outstanding Contributions to Human Rights by the United Nations.

• American Woman of Valor Award by Save a Child’s Heart Foundation.

• International Cultural Ambassador Award by Moment Literary Magazine.

• Business Hall of Fame award from Montgomery County, MD.

• Medal of Appreciation by the President of the Republic of Artsakh (NKR).

• Medal by the President of the Republic of Armenia.

• Encyclical of Gratitude and Appreciation by His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians; and many more………

• Several Awards from the Armenian Assembly of America.