UNWLA Members Report Back from Ukrainian Week in Washington, D.C.

Last week, members of the Ukrainian National Women’s League of America (UNWLA) joined hundreds of advocates, faith leaders, policymakers, and community representatives in Washington, D.C. for Ukrainian Week – a multi-day advocacy conference focused on strengthening U.S.–Ukraine cooperation, advancing coordinated advocacy, and reinforcing long-term support for Ukraine.

Throughout the week, participants engaged in policy discussions, advocacy meetings on Capitol Hill, interfaith gatherings, and strategic dialogues on humanitarian aid, security, recovery, and civil society resilience. For UNWLA delegates, the experience was both inspiring and practical, reaffirming the importance of unity, message discipline, and sustained civic engagement.

For Tetiana Tymkiv, UNWLA Member-at-Large from Dallas, TX, this was her first time attending Ukrainian Week.

“What stood out immediately was the sense of unity and purpose — people from different sectors, backgrounds, and regions coming together with a shared commitment to Ukraine’s future,” she shared.
“Ukrainian Week creates a powerful bridge between Ukraine and the United States at a very human level. It’s not just about policy discussions; it’s about real relationships, real stories, and real impact.”

Tetiana emphasized that Ukrainian Week transforms advocacy into meaningful dialogue, ensuring that voices from Ukraine and the diaspora are heard directly at the highest levels of decision-making. In her view, the key message is clear: Ukraine’s fight is about defending democratic values, human dignity, and freedom — principles that resonate far beyond its borders.

She also noted an important practical lesson for UNWLA:

“The value of coordinated, message-driven advocacy cannot be overstated. When local initiatives align with clear national priorities and we speak with one consistent voice, our impact grows exponentially.”

Oksana Bats, New Jersey Regional Advocacy Chair (Branch 143, NJ), also attended Ukrainian Week for the first time.

“I was impressed by the strong sense of purpose, professionalism, and collaboration,” she said. “The unique value of Ukrainian Week is that it brings the Ukrainian community together with policymakers in a coordinated, focused way to amplify Ukraine’s voice.”

For Oksana, the core message was unity — both within the Ukrainian community and in collective advocacy efforts. She underscored that consistent, organized outreach must continue beyond major events.

“Ukrainian Week reinforced the importance of staying actively engaged and strengthening coordination at both local and national levels.”

For Maria Doan, President of Branch 148 in Minneapolis, MN, Ukrainian Week was a powerful and deeply meaningful experience.

“What stood out most was the strong sense of unity — Ukrainians, Ukrainian Americans, and allies coming together with a shared purpose grounded not only in advocacy but also in faith and moral commitment to justice.”

Maria highlighted the intersection of policy engagement and spiritual resilience, noting that the presence of faith leaders reinforced that support for Ukraine is not only political, but profoundly human.

She also sees Ukrainian Week as an opportunity to deepen regional partnerships:

“The experience strengthened my resolve to advance international collaboration, particularly between Minnesota and the Chernihiv region, building on the cooperation memorandum signed in 2024.”

A special highlight of the week was the Women’s Tea Gathering, which brought together women leaders, advocates, and community representatives in a more intimate setting. The gathering created space for thoughtful conversation, shared experiences, and mutual support among women engaged in advocacy, humanitarian work, and public leadership.

It was a reminder that strong networks of women leaders are essential not only to effective advocacy, but to long-term partnership and solidarity.

Following the Women’s Tea Gathering, Marianna Tretiak gifted UNWLA’s centennial pins to the UNWLA friends and supporters – Nadiia Khomaziuk, Executive Director at U.S.-Ukraine Business Council (USUBC), and Anna Mishchenko – Managing Partner at Kyiv School of Public Administration.

For UNWLA members, Ukrainian Week was not simply a series of meetings — it was a reminder that advocacy is most effective when it is visible, coordinated, and sustained. Participation in national advocacy events strengthens our collective voice, builds long-term relationships with policymakers, and ensures that Ukraine remains a priority in U.S. policy discussions.

UNWLA encourages members and supporters across the country to take part in future advocacy efforts, including the Spring 2026 Ukraine Action Summit, organized by the American Coalition for Ukraine. The Summit brings together community leaders, advocates, and experts from across the United States for policy briefings, strategy sessions, and coordinated meetings on Capitol Hill.

Engagement matters. When our community shows up — informed, united, and prepared — we translate solidarity into action and ensure that Ukraine’s voice continues to be heard clearly and consistently in Washington.