Carolyn Mugar

Last updated
Carolyn Mugar
NationalityArmenian-American
OccupationActivist
Known for
Spouse
John T. O’Connor
(m. 1989;died 2001)
[1]
Parent
Relatives David G. Mugar (brother)

Carolyn Mugar (born c. 1943) is an American activist of Armenian descent, best known for founding the Armenia Tree Project and for serving as the executive director of Farm Aid. She is a prominent member of the Mugar family of Greater Boston.

Contents

Biography

Mugar is the daughter of Stephen P. Mugar (1901–1982), founder of Star Market and a prominent Boston-area philanthropist. [2] Her brother, businessman David G. Mugar (1939–2022), owned a Boston-area television station and was closely associated with Boston's annual Fourth of July celebration. Mugar's husband, businessman and activist John T. O’Connor, [3] died in November 2001 of a heart attack, aged 46. [4]

Mugar founded the Armenia Tree Project with her husband in 1994 as a result of the environmental problems caused by the then-recent earthquake and the blockade of Armenia by Azerbaijan and Turkey. [5]

Mugar was handpicked to be the executive director of Farm Aid by one of its founders, Willie Nelson. [6] She has also served as president of the Armenian Assembly of America. [7]

In 2015, Mugar received an Honorary Doctor of Public Service from Suffolk University, the same university from which her father received an honorary degree. [2]

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References

  1. Cassidy, Tina (March 8, 1998). "Crusader's life is one of contradictions". The Boston Globe . p. F7. Archived from the original on 6 July 2024. Retrieved July 5, 2024 via newspapers.com.
  2. 1 2 "Carolyn Mugar Speaks at Suffolk University Commencement". The Armenian Mirror-Spectator. 21 May 2015. Archived from the original on 4 October 2023. Retrieved 16 February 2017.
  3. "Activist Carolyn Mugar to speak at Clark commencement, May 19". Clark University. 25 April 2013. Archived from the original on 25 January 2020. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
  4. Long, Tom (December 1, 2001). "John O'Connor, developer, environmental advocate, 46". The Boston Globe . p. B7. Archived from the original on 6 July 2024. Retrieved July 5, 2024 via newspapers.com.
  5. "Armenian Tree Project Celebrates 20th Anniversary". The Armenian Mirror-Spectator. 4 October 2014. Archived from the original on 24 April 2023. Retrieved 15 February 2017.
  6. "Farm Aid Board and Staff". Farm Aid. Archived from the original on 3 August 2023. Retrieved 16 February 2017.
  7. "www.aaainc.org > About Us". www.aaainc.org. Archived from the original on 4 August 2017. Retrieved 16 February 2017.